JL4M' 


LIBRARY 

OF  THE 

Theological   Seminary, 

PRINCETON,    N.  J. 

Ctosef„ 

«-5S.  .■S*..S..Bi¥ision 

Shelf, 

I  Oc^CJ SeclLon 

Hook, 

No,_.4 

^£*&^4'  C^a-^I^* 


^/*^^ 


*  -V 


EVANGELICAL 

biography: 

OR,      AN 

HISTORICAL    ACCOUNT 

OF       THE 

LIVES    and    DEATHS 

OF    SOME 

EMINENT  MEN 

OF 

VARIOUS   COUNTRIES, 

AND    Of 

VARIOUS   DENOMINATIONS 

IN    THE 

PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 

.Exhibiting  the  Unity  of  their  FAITH  and  EXPERI- 
ENCE   IN    THEIR    SEVERAL       GF.S,    COUNTRIES,     AND    PRO- 
FESSIONS;    AND    ILLUSTRATING    THE    POWER    OF    DI- 
VINE   GRACE  IN  THEIR   VERY    REMARKABLE 

holy  Living  and  Dying. 


Chiefly  feleftcd  from    the   Works  of 

The  Rev.  ERASMUS   MIDDLETON, 

Of  King's  College,    Cambridge. 


V  H  ILAD  E  L  F  H  I  A: 
•Printed  and  fold  by  John  M'Culloch,  N°.  i.  North 


Third-Street, 

tf,DCC.XCYlIL 


tp^t  rrJ^  ^H^Jrh^^Sa  .^ji^yT^jzxap&JXt^j^jx^j^jiij  ^oj^nxapi^  2yi.^2y^3^ 


PREFACE. 


AT  a  time,  when  infidelity  and  irreligion  a- 
bound  on  the  one  hand,  and  heretical  te- 
nets are  making  large  flrides  upon  the  reformed 
religion  on  the  other  j  it  hath  been  thought  ne- 
ceflary,  to  oppofe  a  torrent  of  wickednefs  and  de- 
lufion,  which  threatens  to  bear  down  all  before 
it.  The  judgments  of  GOD,  which  feem  to  hang 
over  us  as  a  nation,  may  juftly  be  imputed  to  the 
prevailing  iniquity  of  the  times,  the  diflblutenefs 
of  our  public  principles  and  manners,  and  the 
open  difregard  for  the  Lord  of  Ho^ts,  which  fo 
many  among  us,  in  practice  if  not  in  words,  have 
dared  to  avow.  We  have  reafon  to  tremble  as  a 
nation,  under  the  awful  vifitations  of  the  Almigh- 
ty ;  and  to  fear,  that,  un  efs  a  reformation  of 
our  general  conduct  take  place,  and  a  greater  re- 
gard be  paid  to  the  interells  of  religion  and  truth, 
we  Pnali  be  afflicted  with  yet  heavier  difptnfations, 
and  that  what  we  fee  already,  is  only  the  beginning 
cf  for r oils. 

With  this  view  it  hath  been  fuggefled,  that  (as 
nothing   makes   ilronger  impreflions   upon    the 

mind 


/ 

4  PREFACE. 

mind  than  example)  a  review  of  the  lives  and 
principles  of  the  mod  eminent  perfons  in  the  pro- 
tedant  churches,  from  the  beginning  of  the  refor- 
mation to  the  prefent  day,  might  be  a  providen- 
tial means  of  afMing,  at  lead,  in  giving  a  check 
to  this  general  inundation  of  infidelity  and  falfe 
opinions.  The  attentive  perufal  and  confidera- 
tion  of  what  thofe  great  and  good  men  maintain- 
ed, fuffered  for,  or  died  in  poiTeiTion  of;  may,  in 
the  hand  of  GOD,  be  indrumental  in  leading 
ethers  to  follow  their  example,  or  at  lead  deter 
many  from  reviling  and  contemning  thofe  peculiar 
principles  of  the  protedant  do&rine,  which  their 
indolence  or  their  ignorance  have  not  fuffered 
them  to  underdand.  It  may  fafely  be  faid,  that 
nothing  has  contributed  fo  much  to  the  reception 
of  impious  or  fu perditions  tenets  among  us,  as 
the  fpiritual  darknefs  of  our  prefent  enlightened' 
age^  which  indeed  has  made  great  improvements 
in  the  knowledge  of  every  thing  but  one — and 
that  is,  the  one  thing  needful.  Our  youth  are 
trained  up,  according  to  the  fafhion,  in  the  ignor- 
ance and  contempt  of  every  thing  facred  ;  and  no 
man  is  allowed  either  fenfe  or  difcretion,  unlefs 
he  is  quite  at  eafe  with  refpec"t  to  religion,  and  in- 
different as  to  the  great  concerns  of  eternity.  In 
fhort,  to  be  polite,  in  the  common  acceptation,  is 
to  be  profane  ;  and  to  gain  a  character  of  under- 
Handing  and  honour,  a  man  mud  affect  to  defpife 
the  conscientious  purity  of  the  gofpel,  and  openly 
r: (regard  the  Author  of  all  wifdom.     What  can 

be 


P-    R     E     F     A     C     E,  ; 

be  hoped  for  from  maxims  like  thefe  ;  but  what 
we  have  already  found  ;  viz  irreligion  on  the  one- 
fide,  AnXfpintual  error  on  tne  other  ?  And  thefe, 
we  may  expect  will  draw  upon  us  (as  they  did 
upon  the  churches  of  Ana)  the  dreadfu*  fcour- 
ges  of  GOD,  by  outward  calamities,  and  in  the 
prog  re  fs  of  inward  blindnefs  or  abandonment. 

Every  man,  therefore,  who  has  any  concern  for 
the  g  ory  of  GOD,  the  purity  of  the  gofpel,  and- 
the  bed  interetts  of  potlerity,  will  readily  (we 
mould  hope)  give  his  earned  encouragement  to  a 
work,  which  feems  calculated  for  thefe  impor- 
tant purpofes,  as  well  as  his  own  edification.  It 
is  a  F  vmily-Book,  and  may  be  put  into  the  hands 
of  youth,  both  for  their  information  as  a  hi(lory3 
and  for  their  profit  as  an  inltruclor.  Perhaps,  in 
no  cafe,  is  the  difufe-  of  wholefome  injunctions 
more  to  be  lamented,  than  in  the  unbridled  Li- 
berty, which  is  taken  in.  the  education  cf  our 
youth.  People,  or  the  wort!  principles,  may, 
without  examination,  inculcate  them  freely  upon 
the  rifmg  generation  :  And  thus,  infidelity,  and 
immorality,,  are  fcatcered  all  over  the  land. 
However,  it  cannot  be  unfeafonable  for  parents., 
in  particular,  to  lay  a  work  of  this  kind  before 
their  children 

\i  ro  the  work  itfelf,  we  have  freely  made  ufe 
of  the  feveral  authors  who  penned  the  lives  of 
thefe  iliuiVioas  men;  omitting  what  was  either 
too  prolix  for  our  o';an,  or  what,  upon  compan- 
ion with  other  accounts,  did  not  appear  fufficient- 
A  2  ly 


6  PREFACE. 

]y  founded;  and  adding  many  circumftandes, 
which  had  efcaped  them  or  have  fince  been  col- 
lected by  others.  By  this  method,  we  may, 
without  vanity,  hope,  that  thefe  relations  are  in 
general  more  complete  than  thofe  which  have 
been  hitherto  offered  to  the  public.  In  thefeve- 
ral  accounts  of  thefe  evangelical  men,  the  great 
object  of  our  plan  has  been  the  general  edification 
as  well  as  information  ;  and,  for  this  end,  the 
reader  will  find  many  ferious  reflections  interfper- 
fed  throughout  the  work,  tlow  far  we  have 
fucceeded,  muft  be  fubmitted  to  the  judgment  of 
the  reader  ;  whom,  if  a  fmcere  chriftian,  we  fbali 
trull  to  pleafc  ;  and  if  othervvife,  we  ought  not  to 
be  anxious  about  it. 

We  will  only  detain  the  reader  to  allure  him, 
that  no  bigotted  partiality  to  fects  or  denominati- 
ons, whether  eftablifhed  or  tolerated,  will  be 
found  in  this  collection  ;  but  our  whole  attention 
has  been  paid  to  truly  great  and  gracious  charac- 
ters of  all  thofe  perfuafions,  which  hold  the  dif- 
tinguifhing  principles  of  the  gofpel,  and  are  unit- 
ed in  the  main  endeavour  to  promote  our  com- 
mon chriflianity. 

May  the  GOD  of  all  grace  be  pleafed  to  blefs 
our  attempt;  to  the  inflruction  of  the  ignorant 
and  them  that  are  cut  of  the  way  ;  to  the  edifica- 
tion of  humble  profefTors  of  the  gofpel;  and  to 
the  fatisfaction  of  all  thofe,  whatever  be  their  out- 
ward denomination,  who  Jove  our  Lord  Jiisus 
Ci-j  R  1ST  injincerity. 


Sfr=— -^- ===== — ! — ^^===?^==-=vig 


SUBSCRIBERS'  NAMES. 


A 
Rev.  John  A  ruler  fori,  Miniiter  of  the  Aflbciate  congre- 
gations at  Mill- creek  and  Harman's-creek,  near 
Pittiburgh,  2  copies 
Mr-    Samuel  Agnew,  Forks  of  Monongehela 
Nicholas  Armbrewfter,  Philadelphia 

B 

Mr.  Matthew  Barnwell,  Pittiburgh 
James  Baxter,  Tyhoyn  Townihip 
Peter  Binckley,  Pittiburgh 
Hugh  Bigham,  Philadelphia 
Charles  Bovard,  Carlifle 
David  Bowers,  Peter's-Creek 
Thomas  Boyd,  o,  miles  from  Fittlfeurgb 

C 
Mr-  Robert  Callender,  Cirlifle 
John  Campbell,  do- 


8         SUBSCRIBERS'     NAMES, 

Mr.   John  Carfon,  Newton  townfliip,  near  Carlifie 
John  Carfon,  Bucks  County 
Donald  Catnach,  Philadelphia 
James  Conchy,  do. 

John  Cunningham,  Delaware  County 
William  Cunningham,  Pittfburgh 
Thomas  Craighead,  Yellow. Breeches,  C»  C> 
John  Crawford,  Pittfburgh 

D 
Mr.  John  Dean,  Bucks  County 
William  Duer,  do> 

John  Drenen,  Forks  of  Monongehela 

E 

Mr.  James  Elliot,  Middleton  Townfhip,  C.  C 

F 

Mr.  David  Falkner,  3  miles  from  Pittfburgh 
John  Forfyth,  Carliile 
James  Fulton,  Oxford  Townfhip 
James  Freney,  Forks  of  Monongehela 
Alexander  Fridge,  Philadelphia 

G 
Rev.  David  Goodwillie,  Minifter  of  the  Gofpel  at  Bar- 
net,  Vermont. 
Mr.    William  Gregg,  Bucks  County 
Francis  Gregg,  do. 

John  Gormiey,  Pittfburgh 
William  Gormiey,     do. 
Thomas  Gordon,  Miller's-Run 

H 

Mr»  John  Hough,  Bucks  County 
Richard  Haughton,  Carlifls. 


SUBSCRIBER  S'     NAMES. 

Mr.    David  Hall,  Philadelphia 

James  Harper,  Big-Kim,  CC. 
David  Hogan,  Philadelphia 
John  Hunter,  Garhiie 
James  Hyer,  Philadelphia 

I 

Mr.  James  Imbrie,  Wafhk)gt0n  County,  20  copies. 

J       ' 

Mr.  Garret  Johnion,  Bucks  County 

Matthew  Jameion,  Forks  of  Monongehela 
David  Jaudon,  Philadelphia. 
John  Johnfton,  Cambridge,  (N*  Y.J 
Thomas  Johnfion,  Forks  of  Monongehela 

K 

Mr.  John  Kennedy,  Hagar's-Town,  2  copies, 
'William  Kidd,  Philadelphia 
John  Killoch,  do. 

Benjamin  Kite,       do. 

I  Moles  Kelly,  Bucks  County 

Rev.  John  Linn,  Tyrone  1  ownfhip,  C.C 
Mr.    James  Lamberton,  Carlifle 
Archibald  Loudon,     do. 
Alexander  Love,  Pittfburgh 

M 

Matthew  M'Connel,  Efq.    12  copies 

Samuel  M'Croikery,  M.  D. 

Mr.    Robert  Mar  ton,  Philadelphia 

John  Miller,  Pittfburgh 

John-  Mitchel,  Forks  of  Monoucehela 


io       SUBSCRIBERS'     NAMES. 

Nathaniel  M'Connel,  Efq.  Wafliington  County 

John  M'Mafters,  Efq.  Pittfburgh 

Mr.  "|ofeph  Moode,  Bucks  County 
William  Morris,  Philadelphia 
V/illiam  Myers,  do. 

John  M'AUifter,        do. 

Benjamin  M'Cormick,   1 1  miles  from  Pittfburgh' 
James  M'Cormick,         1 1       do.  do. 

Hugh  M< Curdy,  9       do.  do. 

John  M'Cormick,  Peters-Creek 
Jofeph  M-Culloch,  Pittiburgh 
Alexander  M'Donald,  Northumberland 
William  M'Lean,  Forks  of  Monongehela 
lfaac  M'Michael,   9  miles  from  Pittiburgh 

N 
Rev.  Dr.  Charles  Nefbit,  Preiident  of  Dickinfon  College, 

Carlifle 
Mr.    Samuel  Neely,  8  miles  from  Pittfburgh 
John  Nickle,  7  da.  do 

P 

Rev.  David  Philips,  Minifter  of  the  Baptift  Church,   12 
miles  from  Pittfburgh,  1  copies 

Mr.    Robert  Patterfon,  A.  M.  Profeifor  of  Mathematics 
in  the  (Jniverfity  of  Pennfylvania 
Matthew  Parks,  Philadelphia 
George  Pattifon,  Carlifle 

James  Paxton,  Dickinfon  townfhip,  near  Carlifle 
Peter  Petit,  Philadelphia 
John  Philips,   7  miles  from  Pittfburgh 
Thomas  Prior,  Forks  of  JMo.ongehela 

Mr.   James  vhuo ley,   10  miles  from  Pittfburgh, 


SUBSCRIBE  RS>     NAMES.        1 1 

R 

Rev.  John  RidcHe,  Miniftcr  of  the  Afiociate  Reformed 

Synod,   12  miles  from  Pittsburgh 
Cap;:.  John  Robertibn,  Monorigehela 
Mrs.  Mary  Rca,  Philadelphia 
Mr.    John  Railing,  do. 

Joieph  Randal,  Forks  of  Monogehela 

James  Kohb,   Philadelphia 

John  Robefon,  Forks  of  Monongehela 

Hugh  Robinfon,  Pittfburgh 

John  Rofebrugh,         do. 

S 
Mr.  George  Sanderfon,   Carlifle 

James  Semple,  Sheriff  of  Pittfburgh 

Samuel  Scott,   8  miles  from  Pittfburgh 

Jeflc  Skelton,  Bucks  County 

Nathaniel  R.  Snowden,  A.  M.  Harrifburgh 

Abraham  Slack,  Sen.  Bucks  County, 

Cornelius  Slack,  Sen.  do. 

Cornelius  Slack,  Jun.  do. 

James  Slack,  do. 

John  Slack,  do. 

David  Smith,    10  miles  from  Pittfburgh 

George  StevenfOn,  Pittfburgh 

James  Stirling,  Burlington 

Jonathan  Sturgeon,  Bucks  County 

Jofeph  Suber,  do. 

Abraham  Supplee,  Montgomery  County 

T 

Mr.  Peter  Thompfon,  Philadelphia 
Thomas  Thompfon,  do. 

John  Thompfon,  Bucks  County 
Anthony  Torbert,  do. 

Samuel  Tate,  Carlifle 
Edward  Tyler,  near  Harrifburgh 


to      SUBSCRIBERS'     N  AMES. 

V 
Mr.  Michue.  Van  Tart,  Bucks  County 

W 
Mr*  James  Wil fori,  Preacher  of  the  Gofpel 
Jonathan  Walker,  Efq.  Northumberland 
John  Wallace,  Philadelphia 
William  Watfon ,  Pittib urgh 
Nathaniel  Weakley,  CarllOe 
Robert  Weakley,  Dickinfon  townmip,  near  Car- 

liile 
James  Wildman,  Bucks  County 
Andrew  Willock,  Pittsburgh 
John  Wilfon,  Forks  of  Monongehela 
Zaccheus  Wilfon,  do. 

William  Woodward,  Philadelphia 
Jonathan  Worthington,  Bucks  County 
John  Wright,  Carlifle 
Charles  Whyte,  Philadelphia 
Samuel  Wylie,  Monongehela 

Y 

Mr.  Alexander  Young,  Philadelphia, 
Stephen  Young,  do. 

Ephraim  Young,  near  Pittfburglt 


gv^ — ■■   ■  ','•'•  ,"'     =~ 


Evangelical    Biography, 


JOHN     W  I   C   K   L  I  F   F  E, 

THE     FIRST     REFORMER. 


WHEN   we  lookback  upon   the  days  of  barba- 
.   and  the  grofe  ignorance  of  the  true  light 
of  the  gofpel,  which  prevailed  in  the  Chriftian 
world,  for  fo  many  ages  together,  before  the  Reformation; 
wken  we  reflect  upon  the  itapid  ceremonies  and  abominable 
is  and  cheats,  practifed  by  monks   and  others; 
and    then  furvey  the    hand  of  GOD,   working,  in  a  molt 
extraordinary  manner,  through  all  this  mafs  of  corruption 
and  folly,    and  bringing    about,    by   degrees,    the   clear 
g  of  the  everfaftjng  gofpel :  We  mull  ftand  aftonifh- 
ed  at   the  v.hole,    and,    from    the  wonderful  contrait    of 

b  COD  wrought ;  It    is  ths 
it  is  marveUovs  hi  our  eyt's. 
GOD  vouchfafed  to  honour  England  with  the  fif  ft  dawn- 
ing of  the  Reformation  :    And   an   EngUmihaii    was    the 
firit  champion    of  that  cattfe,    which  afterwards  received 
the  name  of  Protestantism.     This  remarkable  inftru- 
B  ment 


i4  WICKLIFFE. 

merit  of  the  divine  blelTing  was  John  Wick lifff-  He 
wasborn  in  the  year  1324.  Wickliffe  was  lent  early  to 
Oxford,  and  was  firft  admitted  commoner  of  Queen's 
College  and  afterwards  of  Merton,  where  he  became 
fellow. 

Merton  College  was  then  the  heft  feminary  for  great 
and  learned  men  in  the  whole  univerfity.  Wickliffe  was 
foon  diftinguifhed,  among  thefe  illuftrious  con  temporaries  \ 
for  the  cloienefs  of  his  application  to  ftudy,  and  the  viva- 
city of  his  genius.  He  became  celebrated  in  philofophy 
and  divinity;  being  fo remarkable  for  an  elegancy  of  wit, 
and  ftfength  in  deputation,  that  he  was  efteemed  more 
than  human  by  the  common  fort  of  divines.  Wicklifle 
not  only  ftuclied  and  commented  upon  thefacred  writings; 
but  he  tranilated  them  into  his  native  language,  and 
wrote  homilies  on  feveral  parts  of  them.  He  alfo  dili- 
gently iludied  the  writings  of  St.  Auftin,  St.  Jerom,  St. 
Ambrose,  and  St.  Gregory,  the  four  fathers  of  the  Latin 
church  :  But  he  was  thirty-fix  years  of  age  before  he  had 
a  proper  opportunity  of  exerting  his  excellent  talents,  fo 
as  to  attract  the  obl'ervation  of  the  univerfity,  and  even 
of  the  whole  kingdom  ;  for  it  was  in  the;  year  1360  when 
he  became  the  advocate  for  the  univeriky  againil  the  en- 
.  croacbiuents  made  by  the  mendicant  friars,  who  had  been 
very  trout-lefonie  from  their  nrlt  eitabliilmient  in  Oxford, 
in  123,0,  and  occafioned  great  inquietude  to  the  chancel- 
lor and  icholars,  by  infringing  their  ftatutes  and  privile- 
ge?, and  letting  up  an  exempt  juriuli&ion. 

Popery  was  eftablilhed  in  England  by  Auftin  the  monk, 
-  and  continued  to  be  the  only  religion  till  the  Reforma- 
tion. The  church  of  Rome  had  in .."ected  all  Chriilendom 
with  its  errors  and  corruptions ;  and  the  whole  church 
was  degenerated  from  its  primitive  purity  by  the  arti 
of  the  monks,  who  had  polluted  the  clear  frearn  of  reli- 
gion with  the  rank  weeds  of  fuperihtion. 

'The  clergy  had  engrafted  the  greatcit  part  both  of  the 
.  riches  and  power  of  Chriilendom  :  But  the  corruptions  of 

their 


WICKLIFFE.  15 

their  worlhipand  doctrine  were  eafily  detected  ;  nor  had 
thev  any  varnifh  to  colour  them  by,  except  the  auth 
and  traditions  of  the  church.  When  fome  itudious  merf 
began  to  read  the  ancient  lathers,  and  councils,  they 
found  a  vaft  difference  between  the  firft  tive  ages  of  the 
ch,  in  which  piety  and  learning  prevailed, 
and  the  laft  ten  ages,  in  which  ignorance  had  buried  all 
their  former  learning :  Only  a  little  taifguided  devotion 
was  retained  for  lix.  ofthofe  ages;  and,  in  the  laic  four, 
the  reillsfs  ambition  and  nfurpation  of  the  po^es  were 
iV.pported  by  the  feeming  hoHnefs  of  the  begging  friars, 
and  ihefalfe  counterfeits  of  learning,  confiding  only  of  a 
▼ile  metaphyseal  j&rgon,  or  vain  fchool-divinity,  which 
prevailed  among  the  canonifts,  fchool-men,  and  cafuiits. 

It  may  be  noted,  that  loon  after  znJ  about  the  year 
1300,  flouriihed  feveral  able  and  pious  men,  who  boldly 
withitood  the  errors  of  the  church  of  Rome,  and  the  in- 
folence  of  its  popes.  Of  thefe,  perhaps,  none  was  more 
remarkable  than  Marfilius  of  Padua,  who  wrote  his  De- 
fensor Paris  for  the  emperor  Lewis,  of  Bavaria,  again  ft 
pope  John  XXII,  and  who  is  execrated  by  name  in  the 
bull  of  pope  Gregory  againft  WicklifFe.  He  vehemently 
oppofed  the  enormities  of  the  court  of  Rome,  and  main- 
tained, that  believers  are  freely  juftified  by  grace  alone, 
and  that  worxs  are  not  the  efficient  caufe  of  our  falvation, 
though  jultification  and  falvation  are  ever  attended  with 
them.  He  and  others  paved  the  way  for  our  great 
countryman,  who  i'oon  afterwards  appeared,  and  difttn- 
suifhed  himielfabove  them. 

WicklifFe  was  indeed  the  morning-ftar  of  the  Reforma- 
tion ;  though  he  appeared  like  a  meteor  to  the  monks, 
when  he  oppofed  them  in  iupport  of  the  univerfity. 
The  number  of  (Indents  there  had  been  thirty  thoufand ; 
but,  in  1357,  they'  were  fo  far  decreafed  that  the  whole 
was  not  above  fix  thoufand.  Thi9  was  entirely  owing  to 
the  bad  practices  of  the  preaching  friars,  who  took  all  op- 
portunities to  entice  the  ftudents,  from  the  colleges,  into 

their 


16  WICKLIFFE. 

their  convents  ;  which  made  people  afraid  of  fending 
their  children  to  the  univerfity.  The  friars  diiregarded 
the  determination  of  the  parliament  in  1366,  whereby  it 
was  enacted,  that  they  ihould  receive  no  fcholar  under 
the  age  of  eighteen;  and  that  the  king  ihould  have  power 
to  redrefs  ail  controverfies  between  them  and  the  uni- 
veriaty.  W  ickliffe  fcon  diftinguiihed  himielf  by  his  bold 
and  zealous  opposition  againft  the  ufurpations  and  errors 
of  the  friars,  who  juitihed  their  begging  trade,  by  alien- 
ing, that  the  poverty  of  Chrift,  and  his  apoiiles,  made 
them  poiTefs  all  things  in  common,  and  beg  for  a  liveli- 
hood. 

W  ickliffe  wrote    with  an  elegance  uncommon  in  that 

age,    especially  in    the  Englifh    language,  of    which   he 

may  be   cpnlidered   as  one  of  the    firft  refiners,    and  his 

writings  afford  many  curious  fpecimens  of  die  old  Englifh 

In  one  of  his   traces,  intitled   u  Of  Clerks 

"   Polreiiioners, "    he  expofes    the  friars   for  drawing  the 

youth  of  the  a   iv«        :    into    their  convents,  and   fays, 

.         from   ChrifVs    religion  into 

<(-  their  private  order  bV   bypocrifie,  lelings,  and   ileling. 

'•'  For  they  tell  :.n  that   their  order  is  more  holy  than  any 

;  :   that  they  fliullen   have  higher  degree  in    the 

"  biiis  oi heaven  than  other   men  that  been  not  therein  ; 

"  and  feyn.,  that  men  of  their"  cm  Ren    never 

"  to  hell,  but  fliullen    dpme   ether   men   with  Chrift  at 

<i  domefday. /}  > 

T\\  ickliiie  wTote  and  published  feveral  tracts  againft  the 
beggar^  of  the  friars  ;  particularly   u  Gf  the  Poverty  ex 
raiiift  able  Beggary  ;  "  and    "  (  tefs  in 

ary-? 

Thcie  controverfies  gave  W  ickliiie  fuch  great  reputa- 
tion in  the  univernty,  that,  in  1361,  he  was  advanced  to 
be  mailer  of  Baiiol  College  ;  and  four  years  after  he  was 
made  warden  of  Canterbury -hall,  founded  by  Simon  de 
Iflip,  archbiiliop  of  Canterbury,  in.  1361. 

The  letters  of  mintution,  whereby  the  archbifhop  ap- 
pointed 


^ 


WICKLIFFE.  17 

point ed  WicklifFe  to  this  wardenfliip,  were  dated  the  four- 
teenth of  December,  1365  ;  in  which  he  is  ifylcd  '  a  per- 
1  foil  in  whole  fidelity,  circumfpection,  and  induftry,  his 
'  grace  very  much  confided;  and  one  on  whom  he  had" 
'  fixed  his  eyes  for  that  place,  on  account  of  the  honefty 
(  of  his  life,  his  laudable  conversation,  and  knowledge  of 
'  letters.  ' 

WicklifFe  behaved  with  univerfal  approbation,  till  the 
death  of  the  archbiihop,  who  had  a  great  elteem  for  him. 
His  grace  died  the  twenty-fifth  of  April,  1366,  and  was 
fucceeded  in  the  archiepifcopal  dignity  by  Simon  Langham, 
biihop  of  Ely,  who  had  been  a  monk,  and  was  inclined 
to  favor  the  religious  againit.  the  feculars.  The  monks 
of  Canterbury  applied  to  Langham  to  eject  Wickiiliefrom 
his  warJ.enlhip,  and  the  other  feculars  from  their  fellow- 
fhips.  They  alledged,  that  the  warden  was  to  be  a  monk, 
nominated  by  the  prior  and  chapter  of  Canterbury,  and 
appointed  by  the  archbiihop  :  But  that  WicklifFe  craftily 
obtained  the  wardenfhip.  Archbiihop  Langham  ejected 
WicklifFe  from  the  wardenfhip,  and  the  three  other  fecu- 
lars, in  1367;  in  confequerice  of  which,  he  alfo  iflued 
out.  his  mandate,  requiring  WiekiiiFe  and  all  the  fcholars 
to  yield  .obedience  to  Vv  cdehall  as  their  warden.  This 
was  refufed  by  them,  as  being  contrary  to  the  oath  they 
had  taken  to  the  founder  ;  but  the  archbiihop  feqneitered 
the  revenue,  and  took  away  rhe  books  and  other  things, 
i  the  founder  by  his.  lad  will  had  left  to  the  Hall. 

However,  this  deprivation  was  no  injury  to  the  repu- 
tation which  WicklifFe  had  acquired-  Every  body  faw  it 
was  a  party  bufinefs  ;  and  that  it  was  not  fo  much  againfb 
his  perfon  that  the  monks  had  a  prejudice,  as  againli  all 
the  fetulars  tbac  were  members  of  the  college.  Shortly 
after,  WicklifFe  was  prefented,  by  the  favour  of  the  duke 
of  Lancaifer,  to  the  living  of  Lutterworth,  in  the  diocefe 
of  Lincoln  ;  and  then  it  was  that  he  publilhed,  in  his 
writings  and  fermons,  certain  opinions  which  appeared  :a 
be  novel,  becaufe  contrary  to  the  received  doclrine  of  thai ~z 
2  2  djys 


iS  WICKLIFFE. 

days.  As  he  did  not  declare  his  Fentiments  till  after  he 
had  loft  his  rector  fhip,  his  enemies  have  taken  occafion, 
from  thence,  to  accuFe  him  of  acting  out  of  a  fpirit  of 
revenge,  by  reafon  of  the  injury  that  had  been  done  him. 
'  I  lhall  net,  fays  Rapin,  undertake  to  clear  him.  from  this 
'  charge.  As  there  is  none  but  God  alone  that  fees  into 
<   the   hearts  of  men,  it  is  ralhnefs  to   accufe   or  excufe 

*  them,  with  regard  to  the  fecret  motives  of  their  actions. 
'  I  fhall  only  take  notice,  that  WicklimVsbittereit  enemies 
6  have  never  taxed  him  with  any  immoralities. ? 

WicklifFe  was  turned  out  of  his  reclorihip  by  the  court 
of  Rome;  and  a  man  mult  be  pofiefled  of  a  very  difin- 
terefled  way  of  thinking,  not  to  refent  fuch  ufage ,  efpe- 
cially  as  WicklifFe  was  irreproachable  in  his  morals.  The 
Fpirit  of  the  times  was  no  little  encouragement  to  his  re- 
ientment.  *  I  muft  however,  ?  Fays  Mr  Guthrie,  '  do 
i  WicklifFe  the  juftice,  which  has  not  been  done  bimbefdr.g, 

*  of  obferving,  that  he  Feems  to  have  maintained  his  re- 
v  forming  opinions  even  before  he  was  turned  out  of  his 
'  rectorfhip.  '  This  is  to  his  honour,  and  removes  one 
of  the  ftrongeft  objections  againft  the  motives  of  Wick- 
lifte's  reformation,  as  we  have  it  from  an  author  unfa- 
vorable  to  his  memory.  This  opinion  is  alio  farther 
confirmed  by  the  ingenious  IV] r.  Gilpin. 

But  WicklifFe  began  more  early  to  attempt  the  refor- 
mation of  thofe  diforders  and  corruptions? which  he  law  in 
men  of  his  own  profeffion;  and  particuMrly  the  exactions 
and  ufurpations  of  the  pope.  This  i£  evident  from  his 
tract,  "  Of  the  laft  Age  of  the  Church,"  which  he  pub- 
lillied  in  the  year  1356,  fourteen  years  before  he  loft  the 
rectorihip. 

WicklifFe, in  1372,  took  his  degree  as  doctor  of  divinity 
which  he  publickly  profefied,  and  read  lectures  in  it  with 
very  great  applaufe  ;  for  he  had  Fuch  authority  in  the 
ichools,  that  his  opinion  was  received  as  an  oracle,  in- 
Jiead  of  Being  disregarded  after  his  ejectment.  In  thefe 
lectures,  he  more    ftrongly  expoied  the  follies  and  Fuper- 

flitions 


W  I  C  K  L  I  F  F  E. 


19 


ftitions  of  the  friars  :  He  charged  them  with  holding  fifty 
hcrelies  and  errors:  Heiliewed  their  corruptions,  and  de- 
tected their  practices.  This  was  linking  at  the  root  of 
all  the  abuies  which  had  crept  into  the  church,  at  a  time, 
when  the  greater  and  more  ncceffary  articles  of  faith,  and 
all  genuine  and  rational  know  ledge  of  religion,  had  gene- 
rally given  place  to  fabulous  legends,  and  romantic  it orles  ; 
fables  which,  in  this  refpect,  only  differed  from  thofe  of 
the  antient  heathen  poets,  that  they  were  more  incredible, 
and  lefs  elegant. 

The  pope  difregarded  the  ftatute  of  provifors  in  Eng- 
land, by  ftill  continuing  to  difpoie  of  eccleiialtical  benefi- 
ces and  dignities  as  he  thought  tit.  Thefe  were  enjoyed 
by  Italians,  Frenchmen,  and  other  aliens,  who  had  the 
revenues  of  them  remitted  abroad.  The  parliament  fre- 
quently complained  to  the  king  and  the  pope  of  this  intol- 
erable grievance,  by  reprefenting  its  fatal  inconveniences 
to  the  church,  and  pernicious  confequences  to  the  king- 
dom. 

This  oppreffion  was  fo  infupportable,  in  1373,  that  the 
king  lent  the  bifhop  of  Bangor,  and  three  other  ambaifa- 
dors,  to  the  pope,  to  require  of  him  that  he  would  not 
interfere  with  the  refervation  of  benefices  :  But  this  em- 
baffy  was  ineffectual ;  for  though  the  pope  entered  into  a 
concordate  about  that  matter,  it  was  only  a  temporal  ccn- 
cemon  ;  and  the  parliament  renewed  their  requeii,  that  a 
remedy  mould  be  provided  againft  the  provifions  of  the 
pope,  whereby  he  reaped  the  firft  fruits  of  ecclefiaftical 
dignities.  It  has  always  been  the  policy  of  the  court  of 
Home  to  play  fad  and  loofe  with  temporal  princes  in  its 
transactions  with  them,  waiting  diligently  for  advanta- 
geous feafons,  and  prefling  them  clofely  whenever  they 
occurred  :  But,  when  it  met  with  dangerous  oppositions, 
it  dextrouQy  waved-  the  contefl  without  renouncing  its 
claims,  and  temporized,  and  foothed,  and  flattered,  and 
by  by,  for  a  more  convenient  opportunity. 

The  king,  in  1374,  iiTued  out   a  coiiiii-ilTion  for  taking 

an 


2o  \V  I  C  K  L  I  F  F  E- 

an  exact  furvey  cf  all  the  eccleiiafl  ical  dignities  and  bene- 
fices, throughout  his  dominions,  which  were  in  the  hands 
of  aliens.  The  number  and  value  of  them  afioniflied  the 
king,  who  then  appointed  lev  en  ambafladors  to  treat  with 
the  pope  upon  the  bufmefs  of  the  former  embafly. 
Doctor  Wickliffe  was  the  fecond  perfon  mentioned  in 
this  commiihon ;  and  the  ambaiiadors  were  met  at  Bru- 
ges by  the  pope's  nuncio,  two  biihops,  and  a  provoft,  to 
treat  concerning  the  liberties  of  the  church  of  England. 
The  treaty  continued  two  years,  when  it  was  concluded, 
that  the  pope  ihould  defift  from  making  uie  of  refervati- 
ons  of  benefices.  But  all  treaties  with  that  corrupt  court 
were  of  no  fignification  ;  and  the  parliament,  the  very 
next  year,  complained  the  treaty  was  infracted.  A  long 
bill  was  brought  into  parliament  againft  the  papal  ufur- 
pations,  as  the  caufe  of  all  the  plagues,  injuries,  famine, 
and  poverty  of  the  realm  :  They  remondrated  that  the 
tax  paid  to  the  pope  amounted  to  five  times  as  much  as  the 
tax  paid  to  the  king;  and  that  God  had  given  his  fheep  to 
the  pope  to  be  paflured,  not  fleeced.  Doctor  Wickliffe 
was  now  made  more  feniible  of  the  pricle,  avarice,  ambi- 
tion, and  tyranny  of  the  pope,  whom  he  boldly  expoled 
in  his  public  lectures,  and  private  converfation.  He 
called  him  u  Antichrift,  the  proud  worldly  prieft  of  Rome, 
"  and  the  molt  curfed  of  clippers  and  purfe-kervers.  " 
He  alio  very  freely  reproved  the  corruptions  which  pre- 
vailed among  the  prelates  and  inferior  clergy,  obierving, 
u  that  the  abomination  of  defolation  had  its  beginning 
"  from  a  gerverfe  clergy,  as  comfort  aroie  from  a  con- 
"  verted  clergy.  "  Of  prelates,  he  fays,  "  Oh  Lord, 
<c  what  token  of  mekenefs,  and  forfaking  of  worldly  ri- 
ches is  this  ?  A  prelate,  as  an  abbot  orpriour  that  is 
dead  to  the  world,  and  pride  and  vanity  thereof,  to 
ride  with  fourfe'ore  horfe,  with  harnefs  of  iilver  and 
gold :  and  to  fpend  with  earls  and  barons,  and  their 
poor  tenants,  both  thoufand  marcs  and  pounds,  to 
mevntene  a  falfe  plea  of  the  world,  and'forbare  men 

of 


WICKLIFFE.  21 

"  off  their  right."  But  Wickliffe  fuificicntly  experienc- 
ed the  hatred  and  perfecution  of  thofe,  whom  he  endea- 
voured to  reform.  The  monks  complained  to  the  pope 
that  Widkliffe  oppofed  the  papal  powers,  and  defended 
the  royal  fupremacy  ;  on  which  account,  in  1376,  they 
drew  up  nineteen  articles  again!!  him,  extracted  from  his 
public  lectures  and  fermons.  Thefe  articles  werefent  to 
the  pope,  and  were  principally  as  follow: 

u  That  there  is  one  only  univerfai  church,  which  is  the 
*.*  imiverfity  "  [or  entire  number]  "  of  the  predelYciatc. 
"  Paul  was  never  a  member  of  the  devil,  although"  [be- 
fore his  converfion]  "  he  did  certain  acts  like  unto  the 
ii  acts  of  the  church,  malignant.  The  reprobate  are  not 
"  parts  of  the"  [invifible]  "  church  ;  for  that  no  part 
"  of  die  fame  finally  falleth  from  her  :  becaufe  the  charity" 
Face]  "  of  predei-cinatton,  which  bindeth  the  church 
rether,  never  faileth." 

"  The  reprobate,  although  he  be  fometime  in  grace, 
f(  according  to  prefent  ju.itice  "  [i.  e.  by  a  preient  appear- 
ance of  outward  righteoufnefs,]  H  yet  is  he  never  a  part 
"  of  the  holy  church  "  [in  reality  :]  "  and  the  predefti- 
u  nate  is  ever  a  member  of  the  church,  although  fometime 
"  he  fall  from  grace  advdntlilu,  but  not  from  the  grace  of 
"  predestination  :  ever  taking  the  church  for  the  convo- 
f  thepredeftinate,  whether  they  be  in  grace  or 
(i  not.  according  to  preient  juitice.  "  i.  e.  whether  they 
be  converted  already,  or  yet  remain  to  be  lb,  the  pr 

'. rr  elect,  ccnlatuce,    as    fr.ch,  that  invilible  church, 
God  the   Father  hath  choien,    and  God   the  Son 
redeemed. 

"  1.  he  grace  of  predeftmation  is  the  band,  wherewith 
"  the  body  of  the  church,  and  every  member  of  the  fame, 
<;  is  indiflblubly  joined  to  Chritt  their  head." 

"  That  the  euchariit,  after  confecration,  was  not  the 
u  real  body  of  Chrift,  but  only  an  emblem  or  iign  of  it. 
"  That  the  church  of  Rome  was  no  more  the  head  of  the 
"  aniverfal  church  than  any  other  church;  and  that  St. 

"  Peter 


22  W I  C  K  L  I  F  F  E. 

"  Peter  had  no  greater  authority  given  him  than  the  reft 
'-'  of  the  apoitles.  That  the  pope  had  no  more  jurifdic- 
"  tion  in  the  exercife  of  the  keys,  than  any  other  prieft. 
"  That  if  the  church  mifbehaved,  it  was  not  only  lawful, 
"  but  meritorious,  to  diipoifefs  her  of  her  temporalities. 
"  That  when  a  prince,  or  temporal  lord,  was  convinced 
"  that  the  church  made  an  ill  ufe  of  her  endowments,  he 
"  was  bound,  under  pain  of  damnation,  to  take  them 
"  away.  That  the  gofpelwas  fuincient  to  direct  aChril- 
'•  tian  in  the  conduct  of  life.  That  neither  the  pope, 
"  nor  any  other  prelate,  ought  to  have  priions  for  the 
"  punifhing  offenders  againftthe  difcipline  of  the  church  ; 
"  but  that  every  perfcn  ought  to  be  left  at  his  liberty  in 
"  the  conduct  of  his  life.  " 

This  was  oppofmg  the  rights,  which  the  popes  had  long 
afferted,  of  a  fuperiority  over  temporal  princes,  and  of 
depriving  them  of  their  kingdoms,  whenever  they  thought 
proper.  It  was  juftifying  the  regal,  in  oppofition  to  the 
papal,  pretentions  of  an  ecclefiaftical  liberty,  or  an  ex- 
emption of  the  perfons  of  the  clergy,  and  the  goods  of  the 
church,  from  the  civil  powers.  It  was  denying  the  power 
that  the  pope  maintained  of  remitting,  or  retaining,  the 
fins  of  individuals  absolutely  :  It  was  (hewing  the  abufe  of 
ecclefiaftical  cenfures,  and  rejecting  the  opinion  of  papal 
indulgences. 

Such  are  the  tenets  with  which  this  famous  reformer  is 
charged  :  And  it  is  rather  wonderful  that  he  fhould  have 
the  courage  to  proceed  fo  far,  than  extraordinary,  that  he 
did  not  go  farther,  confidering  the  prejudices  of  education, 
which  the  wifeft  and  beft  of  men,  without  a  particular 
effort  of  divine  grace^  feldom  or  never  fubdue. 

The  followers  of  Wickliffe  went  greater  lengths  than 
he  intended  :  But  all  the  opinions  which  they  have  father- 
ed upon  the  Wickliffites  are  not  to  be  regarded  ;  any  more 
than  the  cenfures,  which  were  afterwards  thrown  upon 
Luther  for  the  fubfequent  heterodoxies  of  the  Lutherans, 
the  Anabaptiits,  and  other  feCts  in  Germany,  to  which  he 

oppofed 


WICKLIFFE.  23 

sppofed  hlmfelf  v,  bile  living,    and  to  which  his   writings 
are  a  (fending  contradiction. 

\\  icklifFe  had  opened  the  eyes  of  the  people  ;  and  they 
began  to  think,  the  moment  they  could  fee  ;  to  which  they 
were  the  more  incited  by  the  example  fct  them  by  the  duke 
of  Lancaiier,  and  the  lord  Henry  Percy,  earl-maiiha!, 
who  took  WickliiFe  under  then*  patronage  and  protection. 
This  alarmed  the  court  of  Rome  ;  and  pope  Gregory  XI. 
fen:  forth  feveral  bulls  againrl  Wickliffe,  all  dated  the 
twcniy-iccond  of  May,  1 377.  One  was  directed  to  Si- 
mon Sudbury,  archbiihop  of  Canterbury,  and  William 
Courtney,  biihop  of  London,  whom  he  delegated  to  ex- 
amine into  the  matter  of  the  complaint.  Another  was 
difpatched  to  the  kin;;  himfelf :  And  a  third  to  the  univer- 
iity  cf  Oxford.  In  the  fir  ft  bull,  to  the  two  prelates,  he 
tells  them,  '  he  was  informed  that  W  icklifFe  had  ralhly 
'  proceeded  to  that  deteftahte  degree  of  mafdnefs,  as  not 
i  to  be  afraid  to  affert,  and  publicly  preach,  fuch  propo- 
Mitions,  as  were  erroneous  and  falie,  contrary  to  the 
'  faith,  and  threatning  to  fubvert  and  weaken  the  eilate 
'  of  the  whole  church.  "  He  therefore  required  them  to 
caule  Wickl*e  to  be  apprehended  and  imprifoned  by  his 
hority  ;  and  to  get  his  confeflion  concerning  his  pro- 
portions and  concluiions  (of  which  they  deemed  nineteen 
to  be  heretical),  which  they  were  to  tranfmit  to  Rome  ; 
as  alio  whatever  he  ihould  fay,  or  write,  by  way  of  in- 
troduction or  proof:  But,  if  V/icklirTe  could  not  be  ap- 
prehended, they  were  directed  topuhhm  a  citation  for  his 
perfonal  appearance  before  the  pope  within  three  months. 
Tile  pope  requeiled  the  king  to  grant  his  patronage  and 
ailiftance  to  the  biihops  in  the  profecution  of  WickliiFe, 
>  had  promulgated  '  opinions  full  of  errors  and  con- 
'  taining  manifeft  herefy  ;  fomc  of  whieH  appeared  to  be 
'  the  fame  with  thofe  of  Marfflius  of  Padua,  and  John  de 
<  Gandun,  condemned  by  pope  John  XXII. '  En  the 
bull  to  the  univerlity,  he  fays,  the  heretical  pravity  of 
Wicklihe   tended    *  to  fubvert    the  fbte  .of    the  whole 

'  church 


24  WICKLIFFE. 

'  church,  and  even  the  civil  government  : '  And  he  orders 
them  to  deliver  Wicklijffe  up  in  fafe  cuflody  to  the  dele- 
gates. 

King  Edward  III.  died  the  twenty-firft  of  June  1377, 
before  the  bulls  arrived  in  England.  The  univerfity 
treated  their  bull  with  contempt,  or  with  very  little  de- 
votion. They  favoured  and  protected  \Vickliite>  who  was 
powerfully  fupported  by  the  duke  of  Lancafter,  and  the 
earl-marfhal.  Thcfe  noblemen  openly  declared,  they 
would  not  fuffer  him  to  be  imprifohed  :  And,  indeed, 
there  was  yet  no  act  of  parliament,  which  impowered  the 
bilhops  to  imprifon  heretics  without  the  royal  confent. 
But  the  delegated  prelates,  on  the  nineteenth  of  Febru- 
ary, 1378,  iliued  out  their  mandate  to  the  chancellor  of 
the  univerfity  of  Oxford,  commanding  him  to  cite  Wiek- 
lifFe  to  appear  before  them  in  the  church  of  St.  Paul,  Lon- 
don, hi  thirty  days. 

Before  that  day  came,  the  firjft  parliament  of  king  Rich- 
ard II.  met  at  Weftminiier,  where  it  was  debated, 
f  whether  they  might  lawfully  refuie  to  fend  the  treafure 
'  out  of  the  kingdom,  after  the  pope  required  it  on  pain 
*■  of  ceniures,  and  by  virtue  of  the  obedience  due  to  him?.' 
The  resolution  of  this  doubt  was  referred,  by  the  king 
and  parliament,  to  doclor  Wickiiffe,  who  anfwered  it  was 
lawful ;  and  undertook  to  prove  it  lb,  by  the  principles 
of  the  law  of  C  brill. 

Wickliffe  appeared  to  the  f  ummons  of  the  delegates  at 
St.  Paul's,  where  a  vaft  concourfe  of  people  ailembled  to 
hear  the  examination.  The  doctor  was  attended  by  the 
duke  of  Lancafter,  and  the  lord-marfhal  Percy,  who  had 
conceived  fuch  a  very  high  opinion  of  his  learning  and 
integrity,  that  they  allured  him  he  had  nothing  to  fear, 
and  that  he  might  make  his  defence  with  courage 
the  bilhops,  who  were  but  mere  ignorants  in  reipect  to 
him.  When  Wickliiie  came  near  the  place  of  the  ailem- 
bly,  there  was  fo  great  a  croud  of  people  attending, 
that  it  was  with  difficulty  he  and  his  two  patrons  got  ad- 
mittance 


v 


W1CKLIFFE.  25 

ynittance  into  the  church.  This  manner  of  their  ap] 
and?,  by  introducing  Wickliffe  as  to  a  triumph,  rather 
than  a  trial,  touched  the  bilhop  of  London,  who  told  the 
earl-marlhal,  (  if  he  had  known  what  maiceries  they 
1  would  have  kept  in  the  church,  he  would  have  Hopped 
'  them  from  coming  there. ' 

The  archbifhop,  and  the  bifhop  of  London,  held  their 
court  in  the  chapel,  where  feveral  other  prelates,  and  fome 
noblemen,  attended  to  hear  the  trial.  Wickliffe  llood  be- 
fore the  commifTioners,  according  to  cuftom,  to  hear  what 
was  laid  to  his  charge  :  But  the  earl-marihal  bid  him  fit 
down,  '  as  he  had  many  things  to  anfwer,  and  hud  need  of 
'  a  foft  feat  to  refthim  upon,  during  fo  tedious  an  attend- 
6  ance. '  The  bilhop  of  London  objected  to  this;  which  was 
anfwered  by  the  duke  of  Lancaiter,  in  fuch  warm  terms, 
that  he  told  the  bifhop,  c  he  would  bring  down  the  pride 
'  of  all  the  prelacy  in  the  kingdom.'  The  bilhop  made  a 
ipirited  reply :  And  the  duke  laid  loftly,  to  one  who  fat 
by  him,  that,  '  rather  than  take  fuch  language  from  the 
'  bifhop*  he  would  drag  him  out  of  the  church  by  the  hair 
1  of  his  head.'  This  was  over-heard  by  fome  of  the  bye- 
ftanders,  and  the  affembly  was  inftantly  in  a  violent  com- 
motion. The  Londoners  declared  they  would  oppofe  any 
infultsupon  their  bilhop  :  The  noblemen  treated  the  citi- 
zens with  difdain;  they  carried  oil  WickliiFe  in  lately  ;  and 
the  court  broke  up  without  entering  into  an  examination 
of  the  bufmefs.  But  the  Londoners  plundered  the  duke  of 
Lancaster's  palace  in  the  Savoy,  and  the  duke  turned  the 
mayor  and  aldermen  out  of  the  magistracy,  for  not  retrain- 
ing the  {edition-  Wickliffe  had  the  happinefs  to  find  his 
doctrine  embraced  by  men  of  letters,  and  perfons  of  qual- 
ity. Some  would  make  us  believe,  that  people  were 
frightened  into  a  feigned  approbation  of  his  doftrlne  :  But 
it  may  befaid,  with  much  greater  probability,  that  fear 
deterred  many  from  being  his  followers.  The  truth 
man  ran-noriikin  continuing  to  adhere  to  the  old  tenef^ 
as  it  might  be  dangerous  to  embrace  the  new  ones. 
C  The 


26  WICKLIFFE. 

The  duke  of  Lsncafter  was  made  prefident  of  the  coun- 
cil ;  and  the  bilhops  were  afraid  to  offend  the  avowed 
■  protector  of  Wickiiffe.  However,  the  two  prelates  fum- 
moned  the  doctor  a  fecond  time  before  them,  at  Lambeth. 
He  appeared  ;  when  the  Londoners  forced  themfelvesinto 
the  chapel,  to  encourage  the  doctor,  and  intimate  the 
delegates.  Wickiiffe  feemed  willing  to  give  the  prelates 
ibme  fort  of  fatisfaction,  and  delivered  them  a  paper, 
wherein  he  explained  the  feveral  conclufions  with  which 
.he  was  charged.  In  all  appearance,  the  delegates  would 
;UOt  have  been  contented  with  lb  general  an  explanation  ; 
if  the  king's  mother  had  not  obliged  them  to  defift,  by 
fending  Sir  Lewis  Clifford  to  forbid  their  proceeding  to  any 
definitive  fentence  againft  Wickiiffe..  The  delegates  were 
co-founded  with  this  meffage ;  and,  as  their  own  hiftorian 
fays,  '  at  the  wind  of  a  reed  ihaken,  their  fpeech  became 
<  as  foft  as  oil,  to  the  public  lofs  of  their  own  dignity, 
*  and  the  damage  of  the  whole  church.'  They  dropped 
the  thoughts  of  all  cenfures  againii  Wickiiffe,  and  dii- 
rniffed  him,  after  enjoining  him  iilence  ;  to  which  injunc- 
tion he  paid  no  regard,  and  maintained  his  opinions  in  the 
utmoft  latitude.  This-fteadinefs  ill  agrees  with  the  expla- 
nation of  his  opinions,  which  it  is  pretended  he  made 
before  the  bifhops,  and  is  reprefented  as  full  of  equivo- 
cations and  evafions..  The  difguiiing  his  fentiments  is 
little  conformable  to  his  natural  temper,  which  was  far 
enough  from  being  fearful  :  Though  a  modern  writer 
takes" upon  him  to  lay,  (  that  Wickiiffe  appears  to  have 
?'  been  a  man  of  (lender  resolution.'  He  alio  calls  Wick- 
JifTe's  explanations  aukward  apologies:  But  he  fhouldhave 
remembered  they  are  only  fuch  -as  are  given  us  by 
Walfmgham,  whom  lie  calls  a  prejudiced  writer. 

The  duke  of  Lancafter  flattered  himfelf  wirli  the  hopes 
^f  being  fole  regent  during  the  minority  of  the  king  his 
nephew,  who  was  crowned  on  the  thirteenth  of  July  1377; 
but  the  parliament  joined  fome  biihops  and  noblemen  with 
■him  in  the  regency.  This  was  a  damp  upon  the  Wick- 
iiilites,  or  Lollards,  who  were  become  fo  numerous,  that 

two 


WICKLIFFE.  i7 

two  men  could  not  be  found  together,  and  one  not  a  Lol- 
lard. But  pope  Gregory  XI.  died  the  twenty- feventh  of 
March  1378,  which  was  a  great  advantage  to  Wickliffe; 
for,  by  his  death,  an  end  was  put  to  the  commiilion  of  the 
delegates.  Here  the  hiftorian  ieems  to  be  miftaken,  when 
he  fays,  the  demife  of  the  pope  occaiioned  grief  to  the  faith- 
ful. Becaufe  \V 'icklifie  did  not  make  his  appearance  before' 
the  delegates  of  Lambeth,  till  aim  oft  three  months  after 
the  death  of  Gregory.  A  fchifm  enfued,  by  a  double 
election  of  two  popes;  which  was  a  red  advantage  to  the 
Wickliffites;  iince  Urban  VI.  was  not  acknowledged  by 
the  kingdom  to  be  lawful  pope  till  the  end  of  the  next 
year.  On  this  occafion,  Wickliffe  wrote  a  traifll  (i  Of 
K  the  fchifm  of  the  Roman  Pontiffs."  And  foon  after 
published  his  book  "  Of  the  ttfuth  of  the  Scripture*'?  In* 
the  latter  he  contended  for  the  neceffity  of  tranflatiiig  the 
fcriptures  into  the  Englilh  language,  and  aifirmed,  that 
the  will  of  God  was  evidently  revealed  in  two  Teiia- 
ments  ;  and  that  any  difputation,  not  originally  produced 
from  thence,  mtift  be  accounted  profane. 

The  fatigues  which  Wickliffe  underwent,  by  attending 
the  delegates,  threw  him  into  a  dangerous  fit  of  illnefs, 
on  his  return  to  Oxford.  The  mendicant  friars  took  this 
advantage,  and  fent  a  deputation  to  him,  to  inform  him 
of  the  great  injuries  he  had  done  them,  by  his  fermonsand 
writings.  The  deputies  told  him,  he  was  at  the  point  of 
death,  and  exhorted  him  to  revoke  whatever  he  had  ad- 
vanced to  their  prejudice.  Wickliffe  immediately  recover- 
ed his  fpirits,  railed  himfelf  on  his  pillow,  and  replied  : 
"  I  (hall  not  die,  but  live  to  declare  the  evil  deeds  of  the 
"  friars  :"  The  unexpected  force  of  his  expreftion,  to- 
gether with  the  fternnefs  of  his  manner,  drove  away  the 
friers  in.  confulion. 

The  parliament,  which  aflembled'm  1380,  was  famous 
for  a  ft atute  made  againft  the  blood-fuckers  that  had  long- 
devoured  the  land;  viz.   the  foreign  ecclefiaftics,  who,  by 
this  Itatute,  were  rendered  incapable  of  holding  any  be- 
nefices. 


28  WICKLIFF  E. 

nefices  in  England.  At  the  fame  time,  the  parliament 
petitioned  the  king  to  expel  all  foreign  monks,  for  fear 
they  ihould  inftil  notions  into  the  people  of  England,  re- 
pugnant to  the  good  of  the  ftate.  While  Wickliffe,  in  his 
lectures,  fermons,  and  writings,  embraced  every  oppor- 
tunity of  expofmg  the  Romilh  court,  and  detecting  the 
vices  of  the  clergy  both  regular  and  fecular. 

The  holy  fcriptures  had  never  been  tranflated  into 
Englifli ;  except  by  Richard  Fitz-Ralph,  archbifhop  of 
Armagh,  and  John  de  Trevife,  a  Corniih-man,  who  both 
jived  in  the  reign  of  Edward  III.  That  tafk  was  now 
undertaken  by  Wickliffe,  and  other  learned  nffofciates ; 
which  made  it  rieceffary  for  Wickliffe  to  apologize  for 
their  undertaking,  by  {hewing  that  Bede  tranilated  the 
bible,  and  king  Alfred  thepfalms,  into  the  Saxon  tongue. 
It  had  long  given  Wickliffe  great  offence  (fays  Mr.  Gil- 
pin), and  indeed  he  always  confidered  it  as  one  of  the 
capital  errors  of  popery,  that  the  bible  mould  be  locked 
up  from  the  people.  He  refolved,  therefore,  to  free  it 
from  bondage.  The  bible,  he  affirmed,  contained  the 
whole  of  God?s  will,  which,  he  faid,  was  fufficient  to 
guide  his  church.  Thefe,  and  other  arguments,  paved 
the  way  for  the  publication  of  this  great  work,  and  fatis- 
hed  the  minds  of  ail  fober  men. 

This  work  it  may  eafily  be  imagined  raifed  the  clamors 
of  the  clergy.  Kneighton,  a  canon  of  Leicefter,  and  con- 
temporary with  Wickliffe,  affords  a  fample  of  the  language 
of  his  brethren.  '  Chrift  entrufted  his  gofpel  (fays  he)  to 
'  the  clergy,  and  doctors  of  the  church,  to  minifter  it  to 
'  the  laity  and  weaker  fort,  according  to  their  exigencies 
1  and  feveral  occafions.     But  this  mafter  John  Wickliffe, 

*  by  tranilatingit,  has  made  it  vulgar,  and  laid  it  more 
<  open  to  the  laity,  and  even  to  women  who  can  read, 

*  than  it  uied  to  be  to  the  moft  learned  of  the  clergy  and 
'  thofe  of  the  belt  underflanding  :    And  thus  the  gofpel  - 

*  jewel,  the  evangelical  pearl,  is  thrown  about,  and 
1  trodden  underfoot  offivine.'  However,  fome  great  and 
learned  men  were  of  opinion,  there  was  an  older  tranf- 

iation 


WICKLIFFE.  29 

lation,  which  muff,  have  been  that  above  mentioned  : 
Though  it  has  been  aflerted,  <  the  firft  t  ran  flat  ion  that 
1  was  ever  made  of  the  whole  bible  into  the  Englifh  lan- 
'  guage,  as  fpoke  after  the  conqueft,  was  made  by  doc- 
i  tor  WickKffe.'  He  and  his  aftiftants  were  very  care- 
ful in  making  their  tranflation,  by  correcting  the  Latin 
text,  collecting  the  glories,  and  confulting  the  ancient 
divines  ;  after  which  they  let  about  the  tranflation,  not 
literally,  but  as  clearly  as  they  could  to  exprefs  the  fenfe 
and  meaning  of  the  text,  according  to  the  Hebrew,  as 
well  as  the  Latin  bible.  In  this  he  had  much  aiTifiance 
from  the  commentators,  and  particularly  from  the  anno- 
tations of  Nicholas  Lyra.  They  diiHnguimed  which 
books  had  the  authority  of  holy  writ,  and  which  were 
apocryphal:  They  juftiried  their  tranflations  ;  and  af- 
firmed, "  that  he  that  keepeth  meeknefs  and  charity, 
"  hath  the  trewe  underitandynge  and  perfection  of  holi 
"  write." 

The  zeal  of  the .  bifhops  to  fupprefs  WicklifFe's  bible 
only  made  it,  as  is  generally  the  cafe,  the  more  fought 
after.  They,  who  were  able,  among  the  reformers,  pur- 
chafed  copies ;  and  they,  who  were  not  able,  procured  at 
leaft  tranicripts  of  particular  gofpels,  or  epiftles,  as  their 
inclinations  led.  In  r.fter  times,  when  Lollardy  increafed, 
and  the  flames  were  kindled,  it  was  a  common  practice, 
to  fallen  about  the  neck  of  the  condemned  heretic,  fuch 
of  thefe  fcraps  of  fcripture  as  were  found  in  his  pofieiiion, 
which  generally  fhared  his  fate. 

Wickliffe  proceeded  in  delecting  the  errors  and  abufes 
that  had  crept  into  the  church  ;  and  oppofed  the  popifh 
doctrine  of  traniubitantiation,  which  was  afTerted  byliaa- 
hertus  about  the  year  820.  It  is  confelled  by  the  papifts, 
that  this  man  was  the  firft  who  wrote  feriouily  and  copi- 
ously on  this  fnbjecr,  i  the  truth  or  reality  of  the  boclv 
'  and  blood  of  the  eucharifiV  This  was  contrary  to  the 
catholic  doctrine  that  had  exifted  near  a  thoufand  years 
after  Chrift,  and  particularly  in  the  church  of  EnglanJ 
ng  to  the  Saxon  homilies.     Wickliffe  attacked  thj 


C2 


i 


3o  WICKLIFFE. 

error  in  his  divinity  leftures,  in  138 1 ,  and  maintained  the 
true  and  ancient  notion  of  the  Lord's  i upper.  On  this 
account  he  publifhed  fixteenconclufions,  the  firft  of  which 
is,  that  "  the  confecrated  holt,  feen  upon  the  altar,  is  not 
'"  Chid,  or  any  part  of  him ;  but  an  effectual  fign  of  him. " 
He  offered  to  enter  into  a  public  difputation  with  any  man 
upon  thefe  concluiions  ;  which  was  prohibited  by  the  reli- 
gious, who  were  doclors  in  divinity  ;  and  Wickliffe  then 
publifhed  his  opinion  concerning  the  encharift. 

In  his  tract  de  Blafphemia,  he  obferved,  that  the  true 
doctrine  of  the  facrament  of  the  eucharift  was  retained  in 
the  church  a  thoufand  years  ;  even  till  theloofing  of  Satan: 
but  this  oppofition  to  the  doctrine  of  tranfubitantiation 
foon  brought  Wickliffe  into  more  difficulties  ;  for  he  was 
attempting  to  eradicate  a  notion,  that  exalted  the  myflical 
and  hierarchical  powers  of  the  clergy.  William  de  Bar- 
ton chancellor  of  the  univerfity,  and  eleven  doclors,  of 
whom  eight  were  of  the  religious,  condemned  Wickliffe's 
conclufions  as  erroneous  alfertions.  Wickliffe  told  the 
chancellor,  that  neither  he,  nor  any  of  his  affiftants,  were 
able  to  confute  his  opinion ;  and  he  appealed  from  their 
condemnation  to  the  king. 

William  Courtney,  biihop  of  London,  fucceeded  arch- 
bifhop  Sudbury  in  the  fee  of  Canterbury,  and  was  entirely 
devoted  to    the    intereft    of  his    patron  the  pope. 

The  new  archbiihop  prevailed  upon  the  king  to  empow- 
er the  biihops  to  imprifon  heretics,  without  afiung  the 
royal  permhTion  :  But  the  houfe  of  commons  complained 
to  the  king,  that  this  was  a  breach  of  the  people's  privile- 
ges, and  very  deftruclive  to  liberty ;  fince  the  clergy 
thereby  became  the  abfolute  matters  of  the  honour  and 
fortune  of  private  perfons.  The  king  revoked  the  grant ; 
bur  the  revocation  is  not  to  be  found  on  the  parliament 
rolls,  where  it  was  expunged  by  the  artifices  of  the  cler- 
gy, whofe  chief  view  was  to  punifn  the  Wickliffites. 

The  king,  in  1382,  married  Anne  of  Luxemburg,  fifter 
ef  the  emperor  Wenceflaus;  and  this  princeis  became  a 
a <  in  patronefs  of  the  Wickliilites  to  the  time  of  her  death, 

which 


W ICKLIFFE.  31 

which  happened  in  1394-  But  archbifhop  Courtney  pro- 
fecuted  WicklifFc,  and  appointed  a  court  of  felect  biihops, 
doctors  and  batchelors ;  which  aifembled  in  the  monaftery 
of  the  preaching  friars,  London.  This  court  declared 
fourteen  conclufions  of  Wickliffe,  and  others,  heretical 
and  erroneous. 

It  is  laid,  Wickliffe  was  cited  to  appear  at  this  court, 
but  was  prevented  by  his  friends,  who  advifed  him, 
that  a  plot  was  laid  by  the  prelates  to  feize  him  on  the 
road.  However,  his  caufe  was  undertaken  by  the  chan- 
cellor of  Oxford,  the  two  proctors,  and  the  greateft  part 
of  the  fenate,  who,  in  a  letter,  fealed  with  the  univerii- 
ty  feal,  fent  to  the  court,  gave  him  a  great  commenda- 
tion for  his  learning,  piety,  and  orthodox  faith.  Doctor 
Nicholas  Hereford,  Doctor  Philip  Rapyngdon,  and  John 
Ayfhton,  M.  A.  were  the  principal  followers  of  Wickliffe, 
and  appeared  at  this  court,  where  they  defended  his 
doctrine,  as  alio  in  the  convocation.  Doctor  Hereford 
afterwards  took  a  journey  to  Rome,  and  offered,  in  the 
confittory  before  the  pope,  to  defend  the  conclufions 
lately  condemned  by  the  archbifhop,  who  committed  him 
to  prifon  on  his  return  to  England.  It  has  alio  been 
faid,  that  the  duke  of  Lancafter  deierted  the  WicklHfites; 
and  that  all  of  them,  except  Wickliffe,  fubmitted  to  the 
eftabliihed  church.  Archbifhop  Courtney  exerted  all  his 
own  authority,  and  all  his  intereft  at  court,  to  puniih  the 
Wickliffites,  and  fuppreis  their  doctrine.  He  ordered  the 
condemnation  of  the  heretical  articles  to  be  publifhed  in 
the  univerfity.  But  Wickliffe  increafed  in  reputation, 
and  his  doctrine  gained  ground  in  the  affections  of  the 
people;  while  he  was  obliged  to  quit  his  profeflorlhip, 
and  retire  to  Lutterworth,  where  he  ftill  vindicated  his 
doctrine,  and  juftified  his  followers. 

Doctor  Wickliffe  was  feized  with  the  palfy,  in  1^82, 
foon  after  he  left  Oxford  ;  and  the  pope  then  cited  him  to 
appear  at  Rome,  Wickiiffe  returned  a  letter  of  excufeto 
this  citation;  wherein  he  tells  the   pope,  that  "-Chrlfts 

•  i(  taught 


32  WICKLIFFE. 

"  taught  him  more  obeifhe  [obedience]  to  God  than  to- 
man."  His  enemies  were  fenfible.  that  his  diitemper 
would  foon  put  a  period  to  his  life ;  and  therefore  they 
permitted  him  to  fpend  the  remainder  of  his  days  in  tran- 
quility, after  he  had  been  many  years  expofed  to  conti- 
nual danger.  He  was  feized  with  another  violent  fit  of 
the  palfy,  on  Innocents'  day  1384,  as  he  was  in  the  church 
of  Lutterworth,  when  he  fell  down,  never  recovered 
his  fpeech,  and  foon  expired,  in  the  fixtieth  year  of  his 
age. 

The  Chriftian  world  has  not  had  a  greater  man  in  thefe 
laft  ages  than  doctor  WicklifFe.  He  had  well  fiudied  all 
the  parts  of  theological  learning  ;  and  he  was  endowed, 
by  the  grace  of  Godr  with  an  uncommon  gravity  and 
fancYity  of  manners  ;  from  whence  aroie  that  vehement 
defire  of  reltoring  the  primitive  purity  of  the  church  in 
that  ignorant  and  degenerate  age.  His  mod  inveterate 
adverfaries  never  perfumed  to  call  in  queflion  his  excel- 
lent piety,  and  unblemifhed  life  :  But  many  of  them  liave 
fufficientlv  acknowledged  his  preat  learning,  and  uncom- 
mon  abilities.  Indeed,  in  thofe  writings  of  his  which  are 
yet  remaining,  doctor  WicklifFe  has  iliewn  an  extraordi- 
nary knowledge  of  the  fcriptures ;  he  difcovers  a  found 
judgment,  argues  clofely  and  iharply,  breathes  a  fpirit 
of  true  piety,  and  preserves  a  modefty  becoming  his 
character.  Nothing  is  to  be  found  in  him  either  puerile 
or  trifling,  a  fault  very  common  to  the  writers  of  that 
age;  but  everything  he  fays  is  grave,  judicious,  and  ex- 
act. He  wanted  nothing  to  render  his  learning  consum- 
mate, but  his  living  in  a  happier  age. 

The  great  Eradwardin  was,  in  fome  fenfe,  Wickliffe's 
fpiritual  father  ;  for  it  was  the  peruial  of  Bradwardin's 
writings,  which,  next  to  the  holy  fcriptures,  opened  that 
proro-reformer's  eyes  to  difcover  the  genuine  doctrine  of 
faith  andjuilification.  Bradwardin  taught  him  the  nature 
of  a  true  and  juftifying  faith,  in  oppofition  to  merit- 
mongers  and' pardoners,  purgatory  and  pilgrimages. 

The 


W  I  C  K  L  I  F  F  E. 


33 


The  cenfure  which  Melancton  palled  on  Wickliffe  was 
made  great  ufe  of  by  the  papifts :  And  fome  proteflant 
writers  have  charged  him  with  maintaining  f&veral  erro- 
neous opinions.  Guthrie  affects  to  condemn  him  for  being  a 
predeftinarian  ;  but  he  acknowledges,  however,  that  'his 
'  notions  about  the  fopperies  of  religion,  images,  pilgrim- 
*  ages,  legends,  and  the  like,  are  many  of  them  fenfible, 
1  and  moft  of  them  allowable :  That  his  opinions  with 
'  regard  to  the  facraments  of  the  church,  as  then  believed 
'  in  England,  are  free,  and  fuch  that  have  been  adopted 
1  by  many  Uriel  foreign  churches  :  That,  however  immo- 
(  derate  he  was  in  his  principles,  he  appears  to  have  been 
'  a  wife  and  moderate  man  in  his  practice  y  witnefs  his 
i  dying  in  peace  upon  his  own  living,  amidil  an  univerfal 
<  combultion  wh'ch  his  tenets  had  railed :  And  that  he 
\  niuft  be  allowed  to  have  left  behind  him  the  dawn  of  that 
f  reformation  which  was  afterwards  completed*-' 

Mr.  Guthrie,  obferved  that  Wickliffe  '  feems  to  have. 
1  been  a  ftrong  predeftinarian.'  It  will  prelently  appear 
(fays  a  later  writer)  that  he  more  than  feemedto  have  been 
fuch ;  and  that  Luther  and  Calvin  themfelves  were  not 
ftronger  predeftinarian?  than  Wickliffe.  I  fhall  open  the 
evidence  with  two  propositions,  extracted  from  his  own 
writings  : 

i.  "  The  prayer  of  the  reprobate  prevaileth  for  no 
man." 

2-  "  All  things  that  happen,  do.  come  absolutely  of  tier- 
«  cejfity." 

The  manner  in  which  this  great  harbinger  of  the  re- 
formation defended  the  latter  prepofition,  plainly  mews 
him  to  have  been  a  deep  and  fkilful  difputant.  "  Our 
"  Lord,"  fays  he,  "  affirmed  that  fuch  or  fuch  an  event 
"  ihould  come  to  pafs.  Its  accompliihment,  therefore, 
I*  was  unavoidable.  The  antecedent  is  infallible:  By 
"  parity  of  argument,  the  confequent  is  fo  too.  For  the 
u  confequent  is  not  in  the  power  of  a  created  being,  for- 
"  aimuch  as  Chrift  affirmed  fo  many  things"  [before  they 

were 


34  WICKLIFFE. 

were  brought  to  pafs]-  "  Neither  did  [pre]  affirm  any 
"  thing  accidentally.  Seeing,  then,  that  his  affirmation 
"  was  not  accidental,  but  neceilary;  it  follows,  that 
61  the  event  affirmed  by  him,  nuift  be  neceflary  likewife. 
"  This  argument,"  adds  Wickliffe,  "  receives  additional 
"  ftrength,  by  obierving,  that,  in  what  way  foever  God 
"  may  declare  his  will,  by  his  after-difcoveries  of  it  in 
"  time  ;  flill,  his  determination,  concerning  the  event,  took 
*'  place  before  the  world  was  made:  Ergo,  the  event  will 
"  furely  follow-  The  neceflity,  therefore,  of  the  ante- 
"  cedent,  holds  no  lefs  irrefragably  for  the  neceiiky  of 
"  the  confequent.  And  who  can  either  promote  or  hin- 
"  der  the  inference,  namely,  That  this  was  decreed  of 
*•  Gcd  before  the  formation  of  the  world."  1  will  not 
undertake  (fays  Mr.  Toplady)  to  jufiify  the  whole  of  this 
paragraph.  I  can  only  meet  the  excellent  man  half- way. 
I  agree  with  him,  as  to  the  necefflty  of  events  :  But  I  can- 
not, as-  he  evidently  did,  fuppofe  God  himfelf  to  be  a 
necefjary  cgent,  in  the  utmoft  fenfe  of  the  term.  That 
Godtf£?j-m  the  moft  exact  conformity  to  his  own  decrees, 
is  a  truth  which  fcripture  afferts  again  and  again  :  But 
that  God  was  abfoiutely  free  in  decreeing,  is  no  lefs  af- 
ferted  by  the  infpired  writers  ;  who,  with  one  voice,  de- 
clare the  Father's  predeftination,  and  fubfequent  difpofal, 
of  all  things,  to  be  entirely  founded,  not  on  any  antece- 
dent neceflity,  but  on  the  tingle,  fovereign  pleafure  of  his 
own  will. 

The  quotation  however,  proves,  that  Wickliffe  was  an 
abfolute  necej&rstian.  And  he  improves,  with  great  fo- 
lidity  and  acutenefs,  the  topic  of  prophecy  into  (what  it 
moft  certainly  is)  a  very  ft rong  argument  for  predeftina- 
tion.  As  the  prophecies  of  the  old  and  new  teftaments 
are  fuch  an  evidence  of  the  divine  infpiration  of  the  f  acred 
writers,  and  fuch  a  proof  of  Chriftianity,  as  all  the  in- 
fidels in  the  world  will  never  be  able  to  overthrow ;  fo, 
on  the  other,  hand,  thofe  fame  prophecies  conclude,  to 
the  full,  as  ftrongly  in  favour  of  peremptory  predeftina- 

tion. 


WICKLIFF  E. 


35 


tion.  For  if  events  were  midecreed,  they  would  be  un- 
foreknown  :  And,  if  unforeknown,  they  could  not  be 
infallibly  predicted.  To  fay,  that  l  events  may  be  fore- 
'  known   without  falling  under  any    active  or   permimVe 

*  decree  ;'  would  be  faying  either  nothing  to  the  pur- 
pofe,  or  worfe  than  nothing.  For,  if  God  can,  with 
certainty,  foreknow  any  event  whatever,  which  he  did 
not  previously  determine  to  accomplish  or  permit ;  and 
that  event,  barely  foreknown,  but  entirely  undecreed,  be 
fo  certainly  future,  as  to  furnilh  poiitive  ground  for  uner- 
ring prophecy  ;  it  would  follow,  i .  1  hat  God  is  depen- 
dent, for  his  knowledge,  on  the  things  known ;  inftead 
of  all  things  being  dependent  on  him  :  And,  7*  That 
there  are  fome  extraneous  concatenations  of  cauies,  prior 
to  the  will  and  knowledge  of  God,  by  which  his  will  is 
regulated,  and  on  which  his  knowledge  is  founded. 

What  he  little  more  than  intimates,  in  the  citation 
given  above,  he  delivered,  it  feems,  more  plainly  and 
peremptorily,  elfewhere.  Among  the  fixty-two  articles, 
laid  to  his  charge  by  Thomas  Netter  (commonly  called, 
Thomas  of  Walden  who flouriihed  about  the  year  1409,) 
and  for  which,  that  writer  refers  to  the  volume  and 
chapter  of  WicklifFe's  works;  are  thefe  three  :  1.  That 
"  all  things  come  to  pafs  by  fatal  nece/Jlty."  2.  That 
"  God  could  not  make  the  world  otherwife  than  it  is  made  ;" 
3.  And,  that  "  God  cannot  do  any  thing,  which  he  doth  not 
do.*" 

This  is  fatalifm  with  a  witnefs.  And  I  cite  thefe  pro- 
pofitions,  not  to  depreciate  Dr«  WickiiiTe*  whole  character 

*  Fuller's  church  hi  ft.  b.  4  p.  134 — What  this  valuable  hiftorian 
preniifes,  concerning  Wickiiife,  before  he  carets  on  his  account  of" 
him,  deferves  to  be  quoted.  ■  I  intend,  fays  Dr.  Fuller,  'neither 
1  to  deny,  diftemble,  defend  nor  excufe,  any  of  his  faults.     We  have 

*  this   creature,  faith  the  apoftle,  in   earthen  veffels  :    And  he    that 

*  (hall  endeavour  to  prove  a  pitcher  of  clay  to  be  a  p.>t  of  gold,  will 
f  take  great  pains  to  fmall  purpofe.     Yea,  fhould  I  he  over-officious 

*  to  retain  niyfelf  to  plead  for  WickliftVs  faults,  that  glorious  faint 
1  would  fooner  chide  than  thank  me/ 


36  WICKLIFFE. 

I  admire  and  revere,  as  one  of  the  greateft  and  belt  fmce 
the  apoftolic  age  ;  nor  yet  with  a  view  to  recommend  the 
proportions  themfelves  :  But,  limply,  to  fhew,  how  far 
this  illuftrious  Reformer  ran  from  the  prefent  Arminian 
fyflem,  or  rather  no-fyftem,  of  chance  and  free-will.  But, 
concerning  even  thole  of  WickliftVs  afiertions,  which  were 
the  moil  raih  and  unguarded ;  -candor  (not  to  fay,  juifice) 
^obliges  me  to  obferve,  with  Fuller,  that  were  all  his 
works  extant,  '  we  might  therein  read  the  occafion,  inten- 
'  tion,  and  connection,  of  what  he  fpake :  Together  with 
'  the  limitations,  rellriclions,  diftinctions,  and  qualifica- 
*  tions,  of  what  he  maintained.  There  we  might  fee, 
6  what  was  the  overplus  of  his  pafiion,  and,  what  thejuit 
1  meafure  of  his  judgment.  Many  phrafes,  heretical  in 
-*  found,  would  appear  orthodox  in  fenfe.  Yea,  fome  of 
'  his  [reputedly  ~]  poifonous  paffages,  drelTed  with  due 
'  caution,  would  prove  not  only  wholefome,  but  cordial 
'  truths  ;  many  of  his  exprefiions  wanting,  not  granum 
<  ponderis,  but  granum  fa Us  ;  no  weight  of  truth,  but 
c  fome  grains  of  difcretion  *.' 

What  I  mall  next  add,  may  be  rather  filled  bold  truths, 
than  indifcreet  aflertions.  u  He  defined  the  church  to 
"  confift  only  of  perfons  predestinated.  And  affirmed, 
"  That  God  loved  David  and  Peter  as  dearly,  when  they 
u  gr'ievoujly  jinned,  as  he  doth  now  when  they  are  poffej/ed 
Ci  of 'glory]."  This  latter  pofition  might,  poffibly,  have 
been  more  unexceptionably  exprelTed  ;  be  it,  iubftantially, 
ever  fo  true. 

W-ickliiFe  was  found  in  the  article  of  gratuitous  pardon 
and  juftification  by  the  alone  death  and  righteoufhefs  of 
JeiusChrifi.  "The  merit  of  Cmml,"  fays  he,  "  is,  of 
u  itfelf,  fufficient  to  redeem  every  man  from  hell.  It  is 
"  to  be  underflood  of  a  fuiliciency  of  itself,  without 
"  any  ether  concurring  caufe.  All  that  follow  Chriil, 
u  being  juftified  by  his  rightsoufnefs,  mail  be  laved,  as* 

*  Ibid.    p.   135. 
f  Ibid.  p.   134. 


WICKLIFFE.  ;7 

•"  his    i  •"      Dr.    AUx    obferves,    that   Wickliife 

(  rejects  the  doctrine  of  the  merit  of  works,  and  fall 
c  thofe  who  fay,  that  God  did  not  all  for  them,  but  think 
1  that  their  merits  help."      "  Heal  us,  Lord,  for  nought, 
"  favs  WickliiVe  ;  thai  is,  for  no  merit  of  ours,  but  ■ 

.'y      It  has  been    already    obferved,  and  proved, 
that  he  had  very  high  notions  of  that  inevitable  neceifity, 

[eh  he  fifppbfed  every  event  is  governed.  Yet,  he 
did  not  enthuiiaitically  fever  the  end  from  the  mean,. 
Witnefs  his  own  words:  "  Though  all  future  things  do 
li  happen  neceffarily,  yet  God  wills  that  good  things 
"  happen  to  his  fervants  through  the  efficacy  of  prayer." 
In  letters  testimonial  given  WicklifFe  by  the  u iiiverfity 
of  Oxford,  in  i  406,  and  fealed  with  their  common  ieal  ; 
it  is  laid,  '  that  his  converfation,  from  his  youth  to  his 
'  death,  was  fo  praife-worthy  and  horieft  in  the  univer- 
1  iky,  that  he  never  gave  any  cutence,  nor  was  he  afperf- 
e  ed  with  any  mark  of  infamy  or  fmiiter  fufpicion  :  But 
1  that  in  anfwering,  reading,  preaching,  and  determining, 
'  he  behaved  himffelf  laudably,  as  a  valiant  champion  of 
*  the  truth,  and  cathollcly  vanquished  by  fentences  of 
1  holy  fcripture,  all  fiieh  as  by  their  wilful  beggary  blsf- 
c  phemed  the  religion  of  Chriit.  That  this  doctor  was 
'  not  convicted    of  heretical    pravity,  or  by    our  prelates 

tred  to  be  burnt  after  his  burial.  For  God  forbid 
i  that  our  prelates  mould  have  condemned  a  man  of  lb 
1  great  probity  for  an  heretic,  who  had  not  his  equal  in 
'  all  the  univeriity  in    his  writings  of  logic,  philolbphy, 

lity,  morality,  and  the  fpeculative  fciences.' 
As   doctor  WicklifFe  was  vei'y   diligent  and  frequent  in 

Ling,  and  reading  his  divinity  lectures;  fo  he  wrote 

and  published  a   great   many  traces,  of  winch  bimop  Bale 

en  a  particular   account.      Tiny  are  two  hundred 

e  in  all.   -  Moil  of  them  are    theological  ;  but 

fome  are    philofophical ;  forty-eight  are  in  Englifii,    and 

the  others  arc  in  Latin.     Befides  thefe,  there  ^s  a  volume 

D  of 


38  WICKLIFFE. 

of  Engliih  traces  faid  to  be  wrote  by  Wickliffe  ;  fome  o£ 
which  are  yet  extant.  He  is  faid  to  hare  wrote  two 
hundred  volumes,  beildes  his  tranfiation  of  the  Bible  into 
Englifh,  a  fair  copy  of  which  is  in  Queen's  college,  Ox- 
ford,  and  two  more  in  the  university  library.  *  It  was 
*  done  no  doubt  in  the  moft  exprefiive  language  of  thofe 
'  days,  though  founding  uncouth  to  our  ears ;  the  knave 
c  of  Jefus  Chriil  for  fervant ;  and  Philip  baptized  the 
(  gelding,  for  eunuch  :  So  much  our  tongue  is  changed 
€  in  our  acre.' 

His  opinions  were  mifreprefented  by  his  adversaries ; 
but  he  was  protected  by  many  powerful  friends,  and  his 
doctrine  was  embraced  by  the  greater!  part  of  the  king- 
dom. King  Edward  III.  the  princefs  dowager  of  Wales, 
the  duke  of  Lancaiter,  the  queen  of  Richard  II.  the  earl- 
marmal,  Geoffry  Chaucer  the  father  of  Englifli  poetry,  and 
lord  Cobham,  who  diiperfed  WickliiFe's  works  all  over 
Europe,  were  his  patrons  and  friends.  From  fuefa  a  noble 
fountain  the  itream  ran  ftrong,  and  was  foon  increafed  : 
for  many  eminent  divines,  noblemen,  and  other  perfons 
of  diitinction,  embraced  the  new  doctrine ;  which  con- 
stantly gathered  ground,  notwithstanding  it  was  violently 
oppofed  by  the  priefls,  who  raifed  bloody  perfecutions 
againft  the  Wickliffites  in  the  reigns  of  Richard II.  Henry 
IV.  and  Henry  V. 

The  number  of  thofe  who  believed  in  the  doctrine  of- 
Wickliffe  multiplied  exceedingly.  After  a  time,  the  fecu- 
lar  and  ecclefiaiiical  powers  were  combined  to  iupprefs 
its  growth  ;  and  archbilhop  Arundel,  in  convocation, 
condemned  eighteen  of  Wicklifte's  conclufions,  twelve 
years  after  his  death.  Acts  of  parliament  were  made 
againit  the  W'ickliilites  and  many  of  them  were  burnt  for 
"heretics.  The  books  of  ,\\  ickiifle,  were  prohibited  to  be 
read  in  the  univeriities :  And,  in  141 6,  archbilhop 
Chichely  fet  up  a  kind  of  inquifition  in  every  parifh  to 
difcove:*  and  puniih  the  Wickliifites;  by  which  cruel  and 

unchriftian 


V,rICKLIFFE.  39 

unchristian  methods  the  great  and  good  John  lord  Cob- 
ham  was  burnt  for  herciy  ;  and  he  was  the  firft  nobleman 
whofe  blood  was  fiied  in  England,  on  account  of  religion, 
by  popilh  barbarity.  Fox  averts,  in  his  acts  and  monu- 
ments, that  the  two  famous  poets  of  that  time,  Gower 
.cjd  Chaucer,  were  Wickliffitcs,  and  that  they  covered  . 
their  opinion  very  ingenioutty,  and  by  way  of  parable,  in 
their  writings;  adding  likewife,  that,  by  the  expofition 
of  thoie  writings  by  iuch  as  had  the  key,  many  were 
brought  into  WicklmVs  perfualion.  Chaucer  died  in  the  - 
year  1400,  and  Gower  fome  time  before. 

The  infallibity  of  the  pope  was  oppofed  to  the  deftrine 
of  VV  ickliiie  ;  and  the  council  pfConftance,  en  the  fifth  of 
May,  1 415,  condemned  for ty-hYe  articles,  maintained  by 
Wickfiffe,  as  heretical,  fali'e,  and  erroneous.  His  bones 
were  ordered  to  be  dug  up,  and  call  on  a  dunghill  :  But 
this  part  of  the  fentence  was  not  executed  till  1428,  when 
orders  were  ientTby  the  pope  to  the  bifhop  of  Lincoln  to 
have  it  ftrictly  performed,  The  remains  of  this  excellent 
man  were  accordingly  dug  out  of  the  grave,  where  they 
had  lain  undifturbed  forty  four  years  :  Kis  bones  were 
burnt,  and  the  allies  caft  into  an  adjoining  brook  called 
the  Swift,  which  fprings  near  Knaptoft  in  Leicefterfhire. 
Such  w7as  the  refentment  of  the  Roman  church  on  the 
memory  of  him,  who  was  called  the  firft  Engliih  Lollard*. 
The  fame  council  ofConilance,  condemned  John  Hufs, 
and  Jerom  of  Prague,  to  be  burnt  for  favouring  the  doc- 

*  The  feft  of  the  Lollards,  fpreacl  throughout  Germany,  had  for 
their  leader  Walter  Lollard,  who  began  to  difperie  his  doctrines 
about  the  year  1315.  He  defpifed  the  iacraments  of  the  church,  and 
derided  her  ceremonies  and  her  conftirutions  ;  obferved  not  the  fart1; 
of  the  church,  nor  its  abftinencies  ;  acknowledged  not  the  intercef- 
fion  of  the  faints,  and  believed  that  the  damned  in  hell,  and  even  the 
evil  angels,  fhould  one  day  be  faved.  Trithemius,  who  recites  their 
opinions,  fays,  that  Bohemia  and  Auftria  were  infected  with  them  ; 
that  there  were  above  24,000  perfons  in  Germany  which  held  thofe 
errors,  and  that  the  greater  part  defended  them  with  obftinacy,  even 
to  death. — Du  Pin. 

trine 


4o  WICKLIFF  E. 

trine  of  WicklifFe,  and  maintaining  others  which  .were 
alfo  condemned  as  heretical.  This  council  fat  to  give 
fanction  to  injufrice,  and  to  eftablifh  iniquity  by  law ; 
though  it  inflicted  an  irretrievable  blow  upon  the  papal 
authority. 

The  W icldiffites  were  oppreiTed,  but  could  not  be  ex- 
tinguished :  Perfecution  ferved  only  to  eftabliih  that  faith 
which  became  general  at  the  reformation,  about  a  hun- 
dred years  after  thefe  reftraints  were  moderated.  The 
whole  nation  then  unanimously  embraced  the  doctrine 
which  WicklifFe  began;  and  popery  was  abolifhedin  Eng- 
land, that  the  purity  of  religion  might  increafe  theblei- 
fings  of  liberty. 

His  great  work,  and  what  offended  the  church  of  Rome 
mod  highly,  was  his  Trahflatipri  of  the  Scriptures  into 
Engliih,  which  effectually  expofed  the  fophiftries  and  fuper- 
{litions  of  the  time,  and  led  the  people  from  following;  the 
traditions  of  men  to  the  pure  will  and  word  of  the  bleiTed 
GOD. 

[Note.  The  term?  fecvfor  and  regular  cle-gy  occur!  ng  fometirr.es  in 
this  work,  it  is  necefiary  to  ohev-ve,  that  religicui  or  rcgutxr  clergy  were 
ftxh  as  lived  a  mo^aftic  life,  arid  obferved  the  three  vows  of  poverrv, 
chain ty,  and  obedience  :  Secular  clergy,  were  thole  who  did  »ot  come 
lijjder  any  of  the  rules  of  the  monkish  orders-] 

JOHN 


[     41      ] 

JOHN    HUSS,   D.    D. 

THE  BOHEMIAN  REFOLIMER. 


JOHN  HUSS,  or  Hus',  whofe  name  in  the  Bohemian 
lai  enitz,  a  vil-  > 

His  parents  were  net  bleft  with  af- 
fluence; but  they  gave  him  a  liberal  education,  which  he 
improved  rong  mental  abilities,  andclofe  applica- 

tion to  his  {Indies,  in  the  univerihy  of  Prague,  where  he 

menced  batchelor   of  arts  in  1303,  maiier  of  arts  in     , 
»395,  and  Lor  of  d^  in  140&.      rims  was  a 

man  (lays  Wharton  in  h  to  Cave's  UdeoriaLi- 

•  i)  even  by  the  eonfeffion  of  his  enemies,  iiiuitrious     | 

and  remarkable  both  for  doctrine  and  piety,      It  was  in 

nko,  or  SubinJ  t  -.,  the  archfaifhop 

of  that  city,  iffued  two  orders  to   in-pprefs  the  doctrine  of    < 

the  Wic  en   intrdduted   into   that 

kingdom,   and  was    count::;  -   the  greateld  part   of 

the.  matters  and  fcholar  ;,  who$ 

by. a  ce  we  ihaii  mention  preierulc,  had  got  the 

s  of  WickliiTe  into  their  hands; 

Queen  Anne,  the  wife  of  king  Richard  II.  of  England, 

was  daughter  to   the  emperor  Charles  I  V.  and  (liter  to 

census,  king  of  Bohemia,  and  Sigifmund  emperor  of 

Germany.      She  was    a  princefs  of   great  piety,  virtue, 

ledge;  nor   c  die  hnplicit    and 

id)  2  unreafbnalde 


42  H  U  S  S. 

unreasonable  iervice  and  devotion  of  the  Roman  church. 
Her  death  happened  in  1394,  and  her  funeral  was  atten- 
ded by  all  the  nobility  of  England.  She  had  patronized 
Wickliffe,  vho  fpeaks  of  her  in  his  book  "  Of  the  three- 
"  fold  bond  of  love/'  in  thefe  words;  "It  is  poilible 
il  that  the  noble  queen  of  England,  the  filler  of  Casfar, 
"  may  have  the  gofpel  written  in  three  languages,  Bohe. 
(i  mian,  German,  and  Latin  :  But  to  hereticate  her, 
"  on  this  account,  would  be  Luciferian  folly."  After 
her  death,  ieveral  of  Wickliffe's  books  were  carried  by 
her  attendants  into  Bohemia,  and  were  the  means  of  pro- 
moting the  reformation  there. 

The  books  of  Wickliffe  were  carried  into  Bohemia  by 
Peter  Payne,  an  Englishman,  one  of  his  difciples :  But 
the  archbilhop  ©f  Prague  ordered  the  members  of  that 
university  to  bring  him  the  books  of  Wickliffe,  that  thole 
in  which  any  errors  were  found  might  be  burnt.  The 
tracts  of  Wickliffe  had  been  fo  carefully  preferved,  that  we 
are  allured  a  certain  bilhop  wrote  from  England,  that  he 
had  got  two  very  large  volumes  of  them,  which  feemed  as 
large  as  St.  Auftin's  works.  Archbiihop  Sbynko  burnt 
two  hundred  volumes  of  them,  very  finely  written,  and 
adorned  with  coftly  covers  and  gold  boffes  ;  for  which 
reafon,  they  are  fuppofed  to  belong  to  the  nobility  and 
gentry  of  Bohemia. 

Peter  Payne  was  principal  of  Edmund-hall,  in  the  uni- 
veriity of  Oxford,  where  he  was  diltinguilhed  for  his  ex- 
cellent parts,  and  his  oppofition  to  the  friars.  Pie  was  a 
good  difputant,  and  confuted  Waiden,  the  Carmelite, 
about  the  beggary  of  Chriit,  pilgrimages,  the  eucharift, 
images,  and  relicts  ;  for  which  he  was  obliged  to  quit  the 
univeriity,  and  fly  into  Bohemia,  where  he  contracted  an 
acquaintance  with  Procopius,  the  Bohemian  General,  and 
publilhed  fome  books  written  by  Wickliffe,  which  were 
greatly  efreemed  by  Hufs,  jerom,  and  the  greater!  part 
of  the  univeriity.  of  Prague.     The  ftudeuts  belonging  to 

this 


HUSS.  43 

this  learned  feminary  were  offended  with  their  archbiihop 
for  fupprefiing  the  books  of  Wickliffe,  and  ordering  the 
Bohemian  clergy  to  teach  the  people,  that,  after  the 
pronunciation  of  the  words  of  the  holy  facrament,  there 
remained  nothing  but  the  body  of  Jefus  Chrift  under  the 
fpecies  of  bread,  and  the  body  of  Jefus  Chrift  in  the  cup. 

There  was  alio,  according  to  Fox,  another  caufe  of 
the  dilperilon  of  Wickliffe's  books  in  Bohemia.  A  young- 
man  of  an  opulent  and  noble  family  of  that  country  came 
over  to  Oxford,  about  the  year  1389,  for  the  profecution 
of  his  itudies,  and,  upon  his  return,  carried  with  him 
feveral  tracts  of  Wickliffe.  With  this  gentleman  Hufs 
was  well  acquainted,  and  obtained  from  him  the  loan  of 
thefe  books,  which  were  the  means  of  bringing  light  into 
his  mind,  and  fo  much  impreffed  him  with  the  conviction 
of  their  truth,  that  he  embraced  and  maintained  the 
doctrines  they  contained  ever  afterwards.  He  ufed  to 
call  Wickliffe  an  angel  fent  from  heaven  to  enlighten 
mankind;  and  would  mention  among  his  friends  his 
meeting  with  that  great  author's  writings,  as  the  moft 
happy  circumftance  of  his  life  ;  adding,  that  it  would  be 
his  joy  in  heaven  to  live  for  ever  with  that  excellent 
man. 

Hufs  had  diftinguiihed  himfelf  in  the  umverfity,  where 
he  taught  grammar  and  philofophy.  He  had  applied  him- 
felf to  the  ftudy  of  the  holy  fcriptures,  and  the  Latin  fa- 
thers :  He  was  become  an  excellent  preacher,  and  was 
made  chaplain  in  the  church  of  the  Holy  Innocents,  called 
Bethlehem,  at  Prague.  He  was  held  in  great  ePdrnation 
for  his  exemplary  life  and  converfation  as  a  divine,  and 
for  having  been  one  of  the  principal  perfons  who  had  ob- 
tained a  great  favour  to  the  univerfity. 

Hufs  arduoufly  embraced  the  doctrine  of  Wickliffe,  and 
eafdy  perfuaded  many  members  of  the    univerfity,  *  that 

*  For  Dr.  Hufs's  pub'Jc  defence  of  Wickliffe's  opinions  before  the 
univerfity  of  Prague,  in  the  year  1412,  fee  Fo;:'s  A&c,  v>:c.  volt  r. 
temp.  Rie,  2. 

th? 


44  K  US  S. 

tbefirfi:  of  tliefe  orders,  made  by  the  archbiihop,  was  an' 
hrfringment  of  tlie  privileges  and  liberties  of  the  uni- 
verfity,  whole  members  had  a  right  to  read  all  forts  of 
books,  .without  any  moleftation.  Ke  alfo  obferved,  that 
the  fecond  order  contained  a  moft  intolerable  error,  im 
feeming  to  aifirtri  that  there  was  nothing  but  the  body 
and  blood  of  Chr-ift  under  the  fpecies  of  bread,  and  in  the 
cup.  Upon  this  foundation,  they  appealed  from  thole  or* 
ders  to  Gregory  XII.  at  Rimini,  who  was  then  acknow- 
ledged pope  in  Germany,  in  opposition  to  John  XXIII. 
at  Rome,  and  Benedict  XIII.  at  Avignon.  Their  appeal 
was  received,  and  the  pone  cited  the  archbifhop  to  Rome. 
But  that  prelate  informed  the  pope,  that  the  doctrine  of 
,  to  take  root  in  Bohemia  :  upon  which  the 
med  a  bull,  whereby  the   pope  gave  him 

lilion  to  prevent   the   pubiilhing  of  thoie  errors  in 
Ks  province. 

1  his  archbishop,  we  are  told,  was  a  mod  illiterate  man. 
He  was  io  illiterate,  that  he  was  called,  in  ridicule,  Al- 
piiabetaFius,  the  A  B  C  Doctor.  Indeed,  the  clergy  of 
thole  times  were  remarkably  ignorant,  inibmuch  that 
many  of  the  prelates  could  not  write,  but  directed  their 

tins  to  fubfcribe  their  very  names  for  them  to  eccle- 
pa|jer$~ 
The  archbiihop,  by  virtue  of  this  bull,  definitively  con- 
demned- the  writings  of  Wkkliffe  ;  proceeded  againft  four 
doctors,  who  had  not  delivered  up  the  copies  of  that  di- 
vine; and  prohibited  them,  notwithiianuing  their  privile- 
ges, to  preach  in  any  congregation.  Doctor  Huis,  wkk 
fame  other  members  of  the  univerfuy,  and  the  patron  ot 
the  chapel  of  Bethlehem,  made  their  prcteilations  agaioffe 
thefe  proceedings;  and,  on  the  twenty-fifth  of  juae,  A. 
X).  1410.  entered  a  new  appeal  from  the  feritences  of 
the    ar  •      This  affair  was  carried   before    pops 

John  XXIII.  who  granted  a  commiffion  to  cardinal  Col- 
onna  to  cite  John  Hufs   to    appear  personally    at   the 

- 


HUSS. 


45 


court  of  Rome,  to  anfwer  the  accufations  laid  againft 
him  of  preaching  both  errors  and  hereiies.  Doctor  Hufs 
deiired  to  be  excufed  a  perfonal  appearance,  and  was  fo 
greatly  favoured  in  Bohemia,  that  king  '  Wenceilaus,  the 
queen,  the  nobility,  and  the  univeriity,  defired  the  pope 
to  difpenfe  with  fuch  an  appearance  ;  as  alfo  that  he 
would  not  fuffer  the  kingdom  of  Bohemia  to  lie  under 
the  defamation-  of  being  accufed  of  herefy,  but  permit 
them  to  preach  the  gpfpel  with  freedom  in  their  places  cf 
worihip ;  and  that  he  WQuld  fend  legates  to  Prague  to 
correct  any  pretended  abufes,  the  expence  of  which 
mould  be  defrayed  by  the  Bohemians. 

Three  proctors  appeared  for  doctor  Kufs,  before  cardi- 
nal Colo  una,  who  was  elected  pope,  in  14 17,  and  auumed 
the  name  of  Martin  V.  The  proctors  alledged  excui'es 
for  the  abfence  of  Kufs,.  and  declared  they  were  ready  to 
anfwer  in  his*  behalf:  But  the  cardinal  declared  Kufs 
contumacious,,  and  excommunicated  him  accordingly. 

The  proctors  appealed  to  the  pore,  who  appointed  the 
cardinals  of  Aomileia,,  Brancas,  Venice,  and  Zabarella,  to 
draw  up  the  procefs.  of  this  whole  affair-  Thefs  ccm- 
njiilioners  not  only  confirmed  the  judgment  given  by  car- 
dinal Colonna,  but  carried  the  matter  much  further  ;  for 
they  extended  the  excommunication,  which  had  palled 
againft  Kufs,  to  all  his  difciples,  and  alio  to  his  friends. 
aa  declared  a  promoter  of  herefy,  and  an  interdict 
was  pronounced  againft  him..  From  thefe  proceedings  he 
appealed  to  a  future  council;  and,  notwithftanding  the 
decilion  of  the  four  commiffioners,  and  his  being  expelled 
from  the  church  of  Bethlehem,  he  .retired  to  KmTenitz,  the 
place  of  his  nativity,  where  he  boldly  continued  to  pro- 
mulgate hia  do,  trine,  both  from  the  pulpit,  and  with  the 
pen. 

letters  which  he  wrote,  about  this  time,  are  very- 
numerous  ;  and  he  compiled  a  treatife  wherein  he  main- 
tained that  the  reading  of  the  books  of  heretics  cannot: 

be 


46  HUS  S. 

be  abfolutely  forbidden-  He  jQftified  Wickliffe's  book  on 
the  Trinity,  and  defended  the  character  of  that  reformer 
againft  a  charge  brought  by  one  Stokes,  an  Englifhman, 
and  others,  who  accuied  him  of  difobedience. 

It  is  truth,  and  not  opinion,  which  can  travel  through 
the  world  without  a  -paflport.  The  glorious  caufe  of 
truth  had  been  freely  efpoufed  by  Hufs,  who  undauntedly- 
declaimed  againft  the  clergy,  the  cardinals,  and  even 
againft  the  pope  himfelf.  He  wrote  a  difcourfe  to  prove, 
that  the  faults  and  vices  of  churchmen  ought  to  be  re- 
proved from  the  pulpit.  Regarding  the  blood  of  Jefus 
Chrift,  which  many  pretended  to  have  as  a  relic,  he 
obferved,  that  Chrift,  being  glorified,  took  up  with  him 
all  his  own  blood,  and  that  there  is  no  remains  of  it  on 
earth;  as  alfo  that  the  greateft  part  of  the  miracles,  which 
are  reported  about  the  apparition  of  his  blood,  are  the 
frauds  and  impoftures  of  avaricious  and  defigning  men. 
He  maintained,  that  Jefus  Chrift  might  be  called  bread  : 
But  he  departed  not  from  the  doctrine  of  the  church  about 
the  tranfubftantiation  of  the  bread  and  wine  into  the 
body  and  blood -of  Jefus  Chrift.  But  it  is  of  fmall  impor- 
tance with  the  church  of  Rome,  in  what  particular  points 
the  judgments  of  men  coincide  with  its  doctrines,  if  the 
whole  of  the  corrupt  leaven  be  not  implicitly  fwallowed. 
And  perhaps  no  points  are  held  more  facred  by  that  here- 
tical communion,  than  thofe  which  yield  the  moft  abun- 
dant profit  to  the  holy  fee,  falfiy  fo  called.  To  attack 
the  virtue  of  papal  indulgences,  is  ftriking  at  the  moft 
fundamental  pillar  of  the  popedom  ;  and  to  deny  the 
ftock  of  merit,  laid  up  in  the  church  for  public  fale,  is 
a  damnable  denial  of  the  privileges  of  the  clergy,  to  whom 
both  heaven  and  earth  belong,  under  thedifpofal  of  their 
pontiff,  Chrift' s  pretended  vicar  here  below.  Thefe  mon* 
ftrous  abufes,  fome  very  few  of  that  church  have  at- 
tempted, as  far  as  they  dared,  to  cenfure — And  with  re- 
fpect  to  Rome  itfelf,    a  jonrnev  thither  "would  probably 

effect 


II  U  S  S.  47 

effect  more  to  prevent  a  perverficn  from  proteflantifm  to 
popery,  than  a  thoufand  wordy  arguments.  The  wick- 
ednefs  and  vices  of  the  clergy,  in  that  city,  fpeak  aloud 
for  their  principles.  The  review  of  thefe  caufed  Hikle- 
bert,  archbifhop  of  Tours,  fo  long  ago  as  the  twelfth  cen- 
tury, to  characterize  that  famous  mart  of  fouls  in  the  fol- 
lowing words  : 

Vrbs  falix,  (i  vel  dominis  urhs  ilia  careret, 
Vel  dominis  ejjet  turpe  carerefide. 
That  is, 
4  Happy  city,  if  it  had  no  mailers;  or  if  it  were  fcanda- 
4  lous  for  thole  m alters  to  be  unfaithful. '     Luther  ufed  to 
fay,  that  *  for  iooo  florins  he  would  not.  but  have  been  at 
4  Rome,'  where  he  law  lb  thoroughly  into  that  fink  of  fin 
and  fpiritual  abomination,  that  he  abhorred  the  place  and 
its  profeiiion  ail  his  life    afterwards.     He   had  been  lent 
thither,  in  the  early  part  of  his  life,  in  behalf  of  his  con- 
vent.    But  to  proceed  : 

About  the  time  when  Kufs  wrote  the  above  difcourfes, 
Peter  of  Drefden  was  obliged  to  fly  from  Saxony,  and  feek 
a  refuge  at  Prague,  where  he  encouraged  Jacobelle  of 
Mifnia,  a  prieft  of  the  chapel  of  St.  Michael,  to  preach  up 
the  establishment  of  the  communion  under  the  fpecies  of 
wine.  1  his  opinion  was  embraced  by  doctor  Hufs  and 
his  followers,  who  began  to  preach,  that  the  ufe  of  the  cup 
was  neceffary  to  the  laity,  and  that  the  facrament  iliould 
be  adminiftered  under  both  kinds.  Archbiihop  Sbynko 
was  incenfed  at  thefe  proceedings,  and  applied  to  king 
Wenceijaus  for  afiiftance,  which  that  monarch  refufed. 
The  prelate  then  had  recourfe  to  Sigifmund,  king  of  Hun- 
gary, who  promiied  to  come  into  Bohemia,  and  fettle  the 
affairs  of  the  church  in  that  kingdom  :  But  Sbynko  died  in 
Hungary,  before  Sigifmund  began  his  journey  into  Bohe- 
mia. /Ubicus  fucceeded  to  the  archiepifcopal  fee  of  Pra- 
gue, who  permitted  theHuiiites  to  continue  their  fermons; 
and  their  doctrine  became  almofb  general. 

Doctor 


48  H  U  S  S. 

Doctor  Hufs  left  his  retirement,  and  returned  to  Pra- 
gue, in  1412,  at  the  time  that  pope  John  XXI 1 1,  publifh- 
ed  the  bulls  againft  Laodiftaus,  king  of  Naples,  where- 
by he  ordered  a  croifade  againft  him,  and  granted  indul- 
gences to  all  thofe  who  undertook  this  war.  Thefe  bulls 
were  confuted  by  doctor  Hufs,  who  declaimed  againft 
crcifades  and  indulgences.  The  populace  became  anima- 
ted by  his  orations,  and  declared  that  pope.  John  was  an- 
tichrift.  The  magiftrates  caufed  fome  of  them  to  be  ap- 
prehended, and  the  reft  took  up  arms  to  fet  them  at 
liberty  ;  but  they  were  pacified  by  the  magiftrates,  who 
gave  them  folemn  affura nee s  that  no  injury  mould  be  done 
to  the  prifoners  :  however,  they  were  privately  beheaded 
In  the  judgment-hall.  The  blood  which  ran  out  from 
the  place  of  execution  difcovered  the  maffacre  of  thife 
men  to  the  common  people,  who  took  arms  again,  forcibly 
carried  off  the  bodies  of  thole  that  were  executed,  honour- 
ably interred  them  in  the  church  of  Bethlehem,  and  re- 
verenced them  as  martyrs.  '  Hufs  (fays  Mr-  Gilpin) 
'  difcovered,  on  this  occafion,  a  true  Chrifiian  fpirit. 
'  The  late  riot  had  given  him  great  concern  ;  and  he  had 
*  now  lb  much  weight  with  the  people,  as  to  retrain  them 
'  trom  attempting  any  farther  violence — whereas,  at  the 
'  found  of  a  bell,  he  could  have  been  furrcunded  with 
'  thoufands,  who  might  have  laughed  at  the  police  of 
'  the  city.' 

The  magiftrates  of  Prague  found  it  neceffary  to  pub- 
lifn  their  reafons  for  thefe  rigorous  proceedings  againft  the 
Huilites.  They  aiFembled  many  doctors  of  divjnity  in 
their  city,  who  drew  up  a  ceniure  of  forty-five  of  Wick- 
liffe's  proportions;  and,  in  their  preface  to  it,  they  af- 
ferted  the  authority  of  the  pope,  the  cardinals,  and  the 
church  of  Rome  ;  after  which,  they  accufed  the  Huilites 
of  fedition.  Doctor  Hufs  wrote  many  books,  and  other 
difcourfes,  againft  the  cenfure  of  thefe  doctors,  whom  he 
called  Praetorians.     He  maintained  fome"   of  the  articles 

which 


H  U  S  S. 


49 


which  they  condemned  ;  particularly  thofe  concerning  the 
liberty  of  preaching,  the  power  of  fecular  princes  over 
the  revenues  of  eccleiiaftics,  the  voluntary  payment  of 
tythes,  and  the  forfeiture  that  fpiritual  and  temporal  lords 
make  of  their  power,  when  they  live  in  mortal  fin. 

Doctor  Hufs  wrote  a  long  treatife  about  the  church,  to 
confute  the  preface  of  that  cenfure,  in  which  he  main- 
tain^, that  the  church  confiits  of  thole  only  who  are  pre- 
deftinate  ;  that  the  head  and  foundation  of  it  is  Jefus 
Chriii ;  that  the  pope  and  cardinals  are  only  members  of 
it,  and  the  other  biihops  are  iucceffors  to  the  apofties  as 
well  as  they  ;  that  no  one  is  obliged  to  obey  them,  if  their 
commands  are  not  agreeable  to  the  law  of  God  ;  and  that 
an  excommunication,  which  is  groundlefs,  hath  no  effect. 
He  particularly  aniwered  the  writings  of  Stephen  Paletz, 
Staniilaus  Zuoima,  and  eight  other  doctors.  He  alfo 
caufed  a  writing  to  be  fixed  upon  the  church  of  Bethlehem, 
charging  the  clergy  with  thefe  fix  errors  : 

Firit,  Of  believing  that  the  prieft,  by  faying  mafs,  be- 
comes the  creator  of  his  Creator.  Second,  Of  faying  that 
we  ought  to  believe  in  the  virgin,  in  a  pope,  and  in  the 
faints.  Third,  That  the  prieits  can  remit  the  pain  and 
guilt  of  fin.  Fourth,  That  every  one  mull  obey  his  fupe- 
riors,  whether  their  commands  be  jufl  or  unjuft.  Fifth, 
That  every  excommunication,  jult  or  unjuit,  binds  the 
excommunicate.      The  fixth  relates  to  iimony. 

He  alfo  wrote  three  large  volumes  againft  the  clergy  ; 
the  firit  entitled,  ".  The  Anatomy  of  the  Members  of  An- 
"  tichrit."  The  fecond,  <f  Of  the  kingdom  of  the 
"  People,  and  the  Life  and  Manners  of  AntkhruV' 
The  third,  "  Of  the  Abomination  of  Prieits,  and  carnal 
<nks,  in  the  Church  of  Jefus  Chrift."  Belides  thefe, 
he  wrote  feveral  other  tracts  on  Traditions,  the  Unity  of 
the  Church,  Evahgeiital  Perfection,  the  Myitery  of  ini- 
quity, and  the  Diicovery  of  Antichriit.  With  what  fur- 
prizing  i'pirit,  ilrength  of  argument,   and  powerful   jud  ;- 

E-  ment, 


So  H  U  S  S. 

merit,  he  wrote  on  thefe  fubje&s,  may   be  we'll  conceived 
by  the  amazing  influence  that  his  doctrines  obtained. 

Though  John  Puis,  and  Jerom  of  Prague,  §o  far  agreed 
with  Wickliffe,  that  they  oppofed  the  tyranny  and  cor- 
ruptions of  the  pope  and  his  clergy  :  Yet  they  were  not  of 
the  fame  opinion  with  relation  to  theeuchariit,  for  neither 
of  them  ever  oppofed  the  real  prefence,  and  tranf  ubflan- 
tiation,  as  Wickliffe  had  done. 

The  great  and  noble  Sir  John  Gldcanle,  lord  Cobham, 
had  fpoken  boldly  in  feveral  parliaments  againff.  the  cor- 
ruptions of  the  Chriilian  faith  and  worfhip,  and  had  fre- 
quently represented  to  the  kings  Richard  II.  Henry  IV. 
and  Henry  V.  the  infufferable  abufes  committed  by  the 
clergy.  This  nobleman,  at  the  defire  of  doctor  Hufs, 
cauied  all  the  works  of  Wickliffe  to  be  wrote  out,  and  dif- 
perfed  in  Bohemia,  France,  Spain,  Portugal,  and  other 
parts  of  Europe.  But  that  good  man,  who  had  wrote 
feveral  difcourfes  concerning  a  reformation  of  difcipline 
and  manners  in  the  church,  was  abandoned  by  Henry  V. 
and  fell  a  facrifice  to  the  fury  of  the  prieffs.  He  was  con- 
demned, in  1413,  by  the  archbifhop  of  Canterbury  as  a 
heretic,  and  lent  to  the  tower  by  the  king,  who  had  an 
affection  for  him.  He  efcaped  from  his  confinement,  and 
avoided  the  execution  of  his  fentence  till  141 8,  when  he 
was  taken,  and  burnt  hanging.  His  behaviour,  at  the 
time  of  his  death,  was  great  and  intrepid.  He  exhorted 
the  people  to  follow  theinftructions,  which  God  had  given 
them  in  the  fcriptures;  and  admonifhed  them  to  difclaim' 
thefe  falfe  teachers,  whofe  lives  and  converfations  were  lb 
contrary  to  Chrill,  and  repugnant  to  his  religion.  Eng- 
land was  filled  with  fcenes  of  perfecution,  which  extended 
to  Germany  and  Bohemia,  where  doctor  Hufs,  and  Jeronn 
of  Prague,  where  marked  out  to  fhare  the  fate  of  Sir  Join: 
Oldcaille. 

The  council  of  Conflance  was  affembled  on  the  fix 
teenth  of-Novenrber,  141 4,  to  determine  the  difpute  be 

tweei 


II  U  S  S.  51 

tween  three  perfons  who  contended  for  the  -  apacy. 
There  were,  as  attendants  and  members  of  this  council 
(fays  Mr.  Fox),  '  archbilhops  and  bifhops,  346  ;  abbots 
1  and  doctors,  564;  princes,  dukes,  earl-,,  knights,  and 
'  fquires,  16,000;  common  women,  4JJ0;  barbers,  6co  ; 
'  muiicijns,  cooks,  and  jefters,  320.'  Bartholomew  Cofla* 
loot  the  name  of  John  XXIII :  Angel  i  de  Cdraro  called 
himfelf  Gregory  XII :  And  Pedro  de  Luna  was  {tiled  Be- 
nedict XIII  :  But  it  was  John,  who  fummoned  doctor 
Hufs  to  appear  at  Conftance.  The  emperor  SigifmunJ, 
brother  and  i'ucceiTor  to  WenceOaus,  encouraged  Hufs  to 
obey  the  fummons,  that  he  might  clear  the  Bohemian 
nation  from  the  imputation  of  hereiy  :  And,  as  an  in- 
ducement to  his  compliance,  he  fent  him  a  pafiport,  with 
anurance  of  fafe  conduct,  whereby  he  gave  him  permif- 
iion  to  come  freely  to  the  council,  and  return  from  it 
again. 

Doctor  Hufs  caufed  fome  placarts  to  be  fixed  upon  the" 
gates  cf  the  churches  in  Prague,  wherein  he  declared, 
that  he  went  to  the  council  to  anfwer  all  the  accufations 
that  were  made  againit  him  ;  and  that  he  was  ready  to 
appear  before  the  archbifhop,  to  hear  his  adverfaries,  and 
juitify  his  innocence.  He  demanded  of  the  bi(hop  of 
Nazareth,  the  inquiiitor,  whether  he  had  any  thing  to 
propofe  agaiuft  him  ;  from  whom  he  received  a  favorable 
teftimony  :  But  when  he  prefented  himfelf  at  the  court  of 
the  archbifhop,  who  had  called  an  aHembly  againit  him, 
he  was  denied  admiillon.  When  he  departed  from  Prague 
to  repair  to  Conftance,  he  was  accompanied  by  Wen- 
ces,  lord  of  Dunbar,  and  John,  lord  of  Chlum.  Hufs 
made  public  declarations,  in  all  the  cities  through  which 
he  paired,  that  he  was  going  to  vindicate  himfelf  at  Con- 
fiance,  and  invited  all  his  adverfaries  to  be  prefent.  He 
arrived  at  Conftance  on  the  third  of  November;  and 
foon  after  Stephen  Paletz  came  there  as  his  adverfary, 
who  was  joined  by  Michael  of  Canfis.      They  declared 

thernfelves 


52  H  U  S  S. 

themfelves  his  accufers,  and  drew  up  a  memorial  againfl 
him,  which  they  prefented  to  the  pope,  and  prelates  of 
the  council. 

Doctor  Hufs,  twenty-fix  days  after  his  arrival,  was 
ordered  to  appear  before  the  pope  and  cardinals.  It 
has  been  obferved,  that  his  appearing  there  was  by  the 
emperor's  own  requeft :  But,  notwithstanding  the  fafe 
conduct,  he  was  no  fooner  come  within  the  pope's  jurif- 
ciiclion,  than  he  was  arretted,  aud  committed  prifoner  to 
a  chamber  in  the  palace.  1  his  violation  of  common  law 
aufUjufti'Ce  was  taken  notice  of  by  a  gentlemen,  who  urged 
the  imperial  fafe  conduct.  But  the  pope  obferved,  that  he 
never  granted  any  fafe  conduct,  nor  was  he  bound  by 
that  of  the  emperor.  This  infamous  fynod  acted  up  to 
the  fpirit  of  their  own  favourite  maxim,  That  no 
faith  is  to  ee  kept  with  heretics.  The  emperor 
arrived  at  Conftance  on  the  twenty-third  of  December, 
and  pope  John  fled  from  thence ;  as  the  council  had  re- 
folved,  that  he  and  his  two  rivals,  Gregory  and  Benedict, 
ihould  diveft  themfelves  of  all  authority,  that  their  com- 
petition might  be  fairly  decided,  fchifni  extirpated,  and  an 
univerfal  reformation  of  faith  and  manners  enacted,  with 
refpeci  both  to  the  head  and  members  of  the  church. 
The  fourth  feflion  was  held  on  the  twenty- iixth  of  March 
141^,  in  which  the  powers  of  the  council,  independent 
of  the  pope,  were  re- acknowledged  and  ratified.  The 
eighth  feifion  was  held  May  the  fifth,  when  the  doctrines 
of  Wickliffe  were  condemned  as  heretical  in  forty-five 
articles :  And  in  the  twelfth  feflion,  held  the  twenty- 
ninth  of  May,  pope  John  XXIII.  was  depofed. 

The  fathers  of  the  council  were  ranged  under  five  na- 
tions ;  Italy,  France,  Germany,  England,  and  Spain. 
All  matters,  propofed  in  the  council,  were  to  be  deter- 
mined by  the  plurality  of  voices  in  each  nation  :  But  "the 
cardinals,  and  their  college,  had  their  votes  :  And  it  was 
agreed,  that  after  the  bufinefs   had  pafled    through   the 

different 


H  U  S  S.  5j 

different  committees,  the  full  ftate  of  the  whole  fhould 
be  made  to  the  council,  and  that  their  decree  fhould  be 
formed  upon  the  plurality  of  the  votes  of  the  nations* 
Robert  Halam,  biihop  of  Salisbury,  the  bifhop  of  Litch- 
field, and  the  abbot  of  St.  Mary's,  in  Yorlt,  were  mem- 
bers of  this  council  for  the  Englifh  nation. 

The  lpirit  with  which  the  council  of  Conftance  acted 
againft  the  popes ;  their  declaring  themfelves  a  council, 
and  all  councils  to  be  above  popes  ;  the  rigour  with  which 
they  executed  their  decrees,  and  the  awful  form  of  their 
proceedings,  are  commendable.-  But  to  what  did  it  all 
tend?  To  no  generous  principle  of  love  to  God,  or  benev- 
olence to  man-  It  only  tranflated  the  feat  of  wicked 
power.  The  people  were  as  much  (laves  to  ignorance  ; 
they  were  as  much  tied  down  to  fuperitition ;  and  they 
had  as  little  the  exercife  of  any  one  rational  ientiment,  as 
ever.  This  council  atteri  the  part  of  inquifitors :  They 
ordered  the  remains  of  doctor  WicklifFe  to  be  dug  up  and 
burnt,  l  with  this  charitable  caution,  if  they  might  be 
1  difcerned  from  the  bodies  of  other  faithful  ueople.  His 
1  allies  (lays  Fuller)  were  caff  into  the  Swift";  that  brook 
f  conveyed  them  into  the  Avon;  Avon  into  the  Severn; 
1  Severn  into  the  narrow  feas  ;  they  into  the  main  ocean' 
<  Thus  the  allies  of  WicklifFe  are  the  emblems  of  his  doc- 
•  trine,  which  is  now  difperfed  all  over  the  world.' 

-  .or  Htrfs  was  allowed  to  be  a  man  of  confequence, 
and  reputation,  in  Bohemia  :  He  was  a  great  and  (rood 
man,  and  a  noble  martyr  to  Chriftianitv.  His  ac- 
cuiers  prefented  a  petition  to  the  pope,  containing 
the  heads   of  the   accufation  which  they  had  to  propofS 

t  him,  and  requeited  that  commiflioners  micrbt  be 
named  to  draw  up  his  proceis.  The  patriarch  of  Con- 
itantmcple,  and,  two .  bifliops,  were  the  peribns  commif. 
lioned,  who  hear4  many  witneffes  againft  doctor  Hufs 
and  ordered  his  bo\ks  to  be  examined.  While  this  pro- 
cefs  was  drawing  up,  pope  John  efcaped  from  the  empe- 

■k 2  r©i 


54  H  U  S  S. 

ror  Sigifnmnd,  who  delivered  Hufs  into  the  hands  of 
the  biihop  of  Confiance,  by  whole  order  he  was  confined 
in  a  caflle  beyond  the  Rhine,  near  to  Conftance. 

T  he  council  appointed  the  cardinals  of  Cambray,  and 
St.  Mark,  the  biihop  of  Dol,  and  the  abbot  of  the  Cifter- 
cians,  to  finiih  the  proceis  againft  doctor  Hufs,  and  renew 
the  condemnations  againft  the  doctrine  of  Wickliffe.  Soon 
after,  they  joined  to  thei'e  commifiioners  a  biihop  for  each 
nation,  and  granted  a  commifhon  to  cite  Jerom  of  Prague, 
the  companion  and  friend  of  doctor  Hufs,  who  was  one 
of  the  principal  preachers  of  this  new  doclrine.  The 
nobility  of  Bohemia  and  Poland  prefented  a  petition  to  the 
emperor  and  council,  wherein  they  defired  that  doctor 
Hufs  might  be  fet  at  liberty,  as  he  had  been  feized  and 
imprifoned  contrary  to  the  fafe  conduct  of  his  imperial 
majefty.  The  Bohemians  prefented  a  writing  to  the 
council,  wherein  they  maintained,  that  the  proportions, 
which  the  enemies  of  Hufs  had  drawn  out  of  his  books, 
were  mutilated,  and  falfified,  on  purpofe  to  put  him  to 
death  :  They  prayed  the  council  to  (et  him  at  liberty,  that 
he  might  be  heard  for  himielf,  and  offered  to  give  bond 
for  his  appearance.  'I  he  partriarch  of  Antioch  anfwered, 
in  the  name  of  the  council,  that  they  could  not  let  Hufs 
at  liberty  ;  but  would  i'tnd  for  him,  and  give  him  a  favour- 
able hearing.  The  lords  of  Bohemia  then  addreffed  the 
emperor,  v.  ho  had.fent  him  there  to  defend  that  kingdom 
from  a  charge  of  herefy,  and  was  now  one  of  his  per- 
iecutors. 

The  fourteenth  feffion  was  held  on  the  fifth  of  June, 
when  it  was  refoived,  that,  before  they  fent  for  doctor 
Hufs,  the  articles  drawn  out  of  his  books  mould  be  ex- 
amined, and  condemned,  even  without  hearing  his  vin- 
o. [c ;'tion.  This  was  ib  ftrongly  oppoicd  by  the  nobles  of 
Bohemia,  that  the  emperor  told  the  council,  they  muft 
Tear  l:ufs,  before  they  condemned  him  ;  upon  which  they 
lent  for  him.  ordered  him  to   acknowledge  his  books,  and 

read 


H  U  S  S.  55 

read  the  firft  articles  of  his  accufation.  Thefe  were  about 
thirty,*  drawn  from  the  writings  of  Wickliffe,  and  lo-.ne 
of  them  he  freely  admitted  ;  iuch  as,  '  that  there  was 
'  one,  otjly,  univerfal  church,  which  is  a  collection  of  all 
f  the  elect.  That  the  apoftle  Paul  was  never  a  member 
1  of  the  devil,  which  he  proved    from  the    teitimony  of 

*  St.  Auguflin.  That  a  predeiiinate  perfon  always  con- 
'  tinucs  a  member  of  the  church;  hecaule,  though  he  may 

*  ibme times  fall  from  that  grace  which  is  adventitious  to 
'  him,  yet  never  from  the  grace  of  predestination.  That 
f  no  member  of  the  true  church  apoftatizes  from  it,  bei 
f  caufe  the  grace  of  God,  which  eftablilhes  him, never  fails, 
f  rrhat  St.  Peter  never  was,    nor   is,  the  head   of  the 

*  catholic  church,  becauie  this  is  the  peculiar  prerogative 
1  of  Chrifc  '1  hat  the  condemnation  of  the  forty-five 
!  articles  of  WickliiFe  was  irrational  and  unjulr.  That 
f  there  was  no   colour  of  reafon,  that    there  thou"  d  be  a 

*  ipiritual  head  always  viiibly  converfant  in  the  church, 
\  and  governing  it. ' 

Mr.  Toplady,  in  his  very  able  performance,  entitled, 
Hifldric  Proof  of  the  Bo&rinal  Cahxniftn  of  the  Church  of 
England^  Hates  the  following  articles  for  which,  anion* 
others,  this  excellent  man  was  put  to  death.  "  There  is 
ii  but  one  holy  univerfal,  or  catholic  church ,  i&hhcb  is 
"  univerfal  company  of  all  the  predestinate.  I  do 
'.'  confefs,"  faid  Hui's,  "  that  this  proportion  is  mine  ; 
"  and  [it]  is  confirmed   by  St.  Auguitin  upon  St  John." 

"  St.  Paul  -jjas  NEVER  any  member  of  the  devil,  alb:h 
u  that  he  committed  and  did  certain  acls  like  unto  the  afts  of 
"  the  malignant  church"  [i.  e.  St.  Paul  prior  to  his  convcr- 

*  T«e  Pvcader,  who  i-  delirons  move  particularly  to  examine  the 
?as  and  proceedings  ageinft  this  good  man,  together  \vi:h  forhe  of 
his  letters  to  friends^  may  find  them  at  large  in  the  iir.t  volume  o:' 
Fox's  AJls  and  Monuments.  And  for  a  more  minute  account,  he 
may  perufe  an  excellent  hiltory  of  Hufe,  Jerom,  Ziicj,  &c.  written 
in  a  very  malierlY  manner  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Gilpin. 

ilen. 


56  h  u  s  s: 

fion,  acted  like  a  reprobate,  though  he  was,  fecretly,  and 
in  reality,  one  of  God's  elect]-  "  And  likewife  Sp  Peter, 
"  who  fell  into  an  horrible  fin  of  perjury ,  and  denial  of  Lis 
11  Majier  ;  it  was  by  the  perm  is  son  of  God,  that  he  might 
Ci  the  more  firmly  and  Jredfaftly  rife  again  and  he  confirm- 
"  ed."  To  this  charge,  Hufs  replied,  "  I  anfwer,  ac- 
"  cording  to  St.  Anftin,  that.it  is  expedient  that  the  elect. 
"  and  predeftinate  iliould  fm  and  offend*.'' 

"  No  part  or  member  of  the  church  doth  depart,  or  fall 
{i  away,  at  any  time,  from  the  body  ;  Forfomuch  as  the '  char- 
"  ity  of  predestination,  which  is  the  bond  and  chain  of 
tc  the  lame,  doth  never  fall*"'  Hufs  anfwer s ;  "  This  pro- 
"  poiition  is  thus  placed  in  my  book  :  As  the  reprobate  of. 
u  the  church  proceed  out  of  the  fame,  and  yet  are  not  as 
"  parts  or  members  of  the  fame  ;  forfomuch  as  no  part  or 
u  member  cf  the  fame  doth  finally  fall  away:  Becaufe 
"  that  the  charity  £j£  predestination,  which  is  the  bond 
li  and  chain  of  the  fame,  doth  never  fall  away.  This  is 
"  proved  by  i  Cor.'  xiii.  and  Rom.  viii.  .  Jll  things  turn 
**  to  good,  to  them  that  love  God :  Alio,  Jam  certain  that 
"  neither  death  nor  life  can  feparate  us  from  the  charity 
u  and  love  of  God,  as  it  is  more  at  large  in  the  book." 

Another  article,  objected  againil  him,  was,  his  being  of 
opinion,  that  "The  predestinate,  although  he  be  not  in 
"  thejtate  of  grace  according  to  the  frefent  jufiice,  yet  is 

I  alava\  s  a  cf  the  univerfal  church."  He  anf- 
tvers:  li  Thus  it  is  in  the  book,  about  the  beginning  of 
"  the  fifth  chapter,  where  it  is  declared,  that  There  be 

II  divers  manners  or  forts  of  being  in  the  church  :  Tor  there 
iC  are  fome  in  the  church,  according  to  the  mif-ihapen 
"  faith  ;  and  other  fome  according  to  predestination  : 

*  Let  not  the  reader  imagine  (fays  Mr.  Tbplady)  that  I  approve 
of  the  unguarded  mair-er,  in  which  Mr.  Hufs  here  exp.efTes  himfelf. 
I  only  give  this  anfwer,  faithfully,  as  I  find  it.  His  meaning  I  doubt 
rot,  was  this  :   That,  by  the  incomprehenfibie   alchymy  of  God's  infi- 

be  finally  ever  ruled  to  good. 
"  As 


H  U  S  S.  57 

u  As  Christians  predeftinate,  now  in  (in,  shall  return 
"  again  untograce."  The  good  man  ad  Jed:  "  Predef- 
"  tination  doth  make  a  man  member  of  the  univerful 
"  church;  the  which  [i.e.  Predeftination]  is  a  prepare 'l  n 
"  of  Gil  ace  for  the  prrfent,  and  of  pLQRY  to  come  :  And 
*'  not  any  degree  of"  [outward]  "dignity,  neither  elec- 
<l  tion  of  man"  [or,  one  man's  defignation  of  another  to 
fome  office  or  ftation],  "  neither  any  fenfible  fign"  [i.  c 
Predeftination  does  not  barely  extend  to  the  outward 
figns,  or  means  of  grace  :  But  includes  fomething  more 
and  higher]  :  "  For  the  traitor  Judas  Ifcariot,  norwith- 
iC  itandingChrift's  election"  [or  appointment  of  him  to  the 
apoftlefhip],  "  and  the  temporal  graces  which  were  given 
"  him  for  his  office  of  apoftieihip,  and  that  he  was  reput- 
"  ed  and  counted  of  men  a  true  apoftle  of  Jefus  Chriit ; 
<:  yet  was  he  no  true  difciple,  but  a  wolf  covered  in  a 
<•'  iheep-'s  (kin,  as  St.  Auguftin  faith." 

"  A  reprobate  man  is  never  a  member  of  the  holy 
church. — I  anfwer,  It  is  in  my  book,  with  Sufficient  long 
"  probation  out  of  the  xxvith  Pfalm,  and  out  of  the  vth 
chapter  to  the  Epheilans  :  And  alfo  by  St.  Bernard's 
faying,  The  church  of  Jefus  Chrift  is  MOR.E  plainly  and 
evidently  his  body,  than  the  body  which  he  delivered  for 
"  us  to  death.  I  have  alfo  written,  in  the  fifth  chapter  of 
"  my  book,  that  the  holy  church"  [i.  e.  the  outward, 
•  viiible  church  of  profedlng  Chriftians,  here  on  earth] 
"  is  thi  barn  of  the  Lord,  in  which  are  bott)  good  and  evil, 
"  predeftinate  ami  reprobate  ;  The  good  being  as  the  good 
"  corn,  or  grain  ;  and  the  evil,  as  the  chaff.  And  there- 
"  unto  is  added  the  expofition  of  St.  Auftin." 

"  Judas  was  never  a  true  difciple  of  Jefus  Chrift 1 

"  aniwer,  and  1  do  confefs  the  fame— They  came  out  from 

"  among jr  us,  but  they w  ere  none  of  us He  knew ,  from  the 

(i  beginning,  who  they  were  that  believed  not,  and  foould  be- 
"  tray  him.      And  therefore  I  fay  unto  you, that  none  com- 
"  ETH  irniome,  except  it  be  given  him  of  my  Father.71 
Such  were  fome  of  the  allegations,  brought  againft  this 

%o\j 


53  HUS  ?. 

holy  man  by  the  couucil  of  Conftance;  and  fuch  were  his 
anfwers,  when  he  flood  on  his  public  trial,  as  a  lilly 
among  thorns,  or  a  iheep  in  the  midft  of  wolves.  How 
eafy  is  it  for  a  man  to  write  in  defence  of  thefe  inefdmable 
truths,  which  (through  the  goodneis  of  divine  providence) 
have  now, in  our  happy  land,  the  fanction  of  civil- liberty  ! 
But  with  what  invincible  ftrength  of  grace  was  this 
adamantine  faint  endued,  who  bore  his  explicit,  unfhak- 
ent  eftimony  to  the  faith,  in  the  preience  and  hearing  of 
Is  word  foes,  armed  with  all  the  terrific  powers  of  this 
world  ! 

Thefe  are  doctrines  whiefi,  even  in  the  pkarpft  ages  of 
the  church,  have  received  countenance,  and  Hufs  boldly 
acknowledged  them.  But  one  circumftance  bore  more 
hard  againir  him,  which  was,  wifhing  his  foul  to  be  with 
the  happy  fpirit  of  WicklirTe.  Doclor  Hufs  had  too  gene- 
rous, too  open,  a  nature,  to  deny  what  he  thought;  nor 
did  he  imagine  that  life  was  worthy  prevarication.  He 
freely  canf  tiled,  he  wasfo  charmed  with -Wickliffe'sbooksj- 
that  he  wifhed  his  fpirit  might  enjoy  the  fame  fate  with  his 
hereafter.  A  great  many  other  falfe  and  frivolous  objec- 
tions were  raifed  againft  him,  which  he  refuted  with  a 
manly  eloquence;  and  recommending  hiinfelf,  and  his 
caufe,  to  God,  he  was  carried  off.. 

He  was  nofooner  gone,  than  the  emperor,  whofefub- 
jeel  he  was,  and  who  ihev.  ed  a  peculiar  zeal  in  his  fate, 
rofe,  and  told  the  affembly,  c  That,  in  his  opinion,  every 

*  tenet  he  had  then  held,  deferved  death.  That  if  he  did 
'  not  abjure,  he  ought  to  be  burnt :  And  that  all  his  fol- 
'  lowers,  efpecially  Jerom   of  Prague,  mould  be   exem- 

*  plarily  punimed.'  But  we  are  told,  that  the  emperor 
and  the  cardinal  of  Chambre,  exhorted  doctor  Hufs  to 
fubmit  to  the  decifion  of  the 'council.-  The  next  day,  he 
was  brought  again  before  the  affembly,  where  eighty-nine 
articles  were  read  to  him,  which  were  faid  to  be  drawn 
out  of  his  Liooks,  and  he  was  advifed  to' abjure  them  all  : 
But  he  replied,  that  there    were  many  of  thofe  propo- 

fiti 


H  U  S  S.  59 

fitions  which  he  had  never  maintained,  and  he  was  read7 
to  explain  his  opinion  regarding  the  others.  After  many 
difoutes,  he  was  lent  back  to  priibn  ;  and  a  reibhition 
was  then  taken  to  burn  him  as  a  heretic,  if  he  would  not 
retract. 

The  emperor,  on  the  tenth  of  June,  fent  four  billions, 
and  two  lords,  to  the  prifon,  to  prevail  on  Hut's  to  make  a 
recantation.  But  that  pious  divine,  with  truly  Chriitian. 
iimphcity,  called  the  great  God  to  witnefs,  with  tears  in 
his  eyes,  that  he  was  notconfcious  of  having  preached,  or 
written,  any  thing  againit  the  truth  of  God,  or  the  faith 
of  his  orthodox  church.  The  deputies  then  reprefented 
the  great  wifdorn  and  authority  of  the  council.  ff  Let 
"  them,  laid  Hufs,  fend  the  meauelt  perfon  that  can  con- 
u  vince  me,  by  arguments,  from  the  word  of  God,  and 
u  I  will  fubmit  my  judgment  to  him."  This  Chriftian 
and  pious  anlwer  had  no  effecl ;  becaufe  he  would  not 
take  the  authority  and  learning  of  the  council  upon  truir, 
without  the  leaft  ihadow  of  an  argument  offered  ;  and  the 
deputies  departed  in  high  admiration  of  his  obitinacy! 

While  this  good  confeffor  was  in  bonds,  he  wrote  let- 
ters to  incite  his  countrymen  to  perievere  in  the  doclrines 
he  had  taught  ;  and  expreffed  his  own  firm  reibiution  of 
never  departing  from  them  while  he  had  life. 

Doctor  Hufs,  on  the  feventh  of  July,  was  conducted  to 
the  place  where  the  fifteenth  feiiion  of  the  council  was 
held.  He  was  required  to  abjure,  which  he  refuted  : 
And  thebifhop  of  Londi,  in  a  bloody,  perfecuting  fermoii,. 
about  the  deitruction  of  heretics,  pronounced  the  prologue 
of  his  fate,  by  exhorting  the  emperor,  who  feemed  ready 
enough  of  himfelf,  to  exterminate  the  growing  herefy, 
that  (as  he  was  pleafed  to  pervert  the  fcripture)  the  body 
of  fin  might  be  ckjiroyeci  He  told  Sigifmund,  i  that  he 
'  ought  to  denxoy  all  errors  and  hcrefies,  and  efpecially 
'  the  obftinate  heretic  Hufs  before  him,  fmce  by  his 
*■  wickednefs  and  rnjfchief,  many  place;,  of  the  world  were 

<  infected 


6o  KUSS. 

'  infected  with  moft  peftilent  and  heretical  poifon,  and, 
'  by  his  means  and  occalion,  alrnoft  utterly  fubverted  and 
f  deflroyed.  And  that  then  the  emperor's  praifes  would 
*  be  celebrated  for  evermore,  for  having  overthrown  fuch 
1  and  fo  great  enemies  of  the  faith.'  A  moit  honorable 
teftimony  for  doctor  Hufs  from  the  traducing  mouth  of  a 
virulent  adverfary !  In  fine,  the  proctor  of  the  council 
demanded  that  the  procefs  againft  Hufs  ihould  be  finifhed ; 
the  condemned  articles  of  WicklifFe  were  read,  and  the 
thirty  articles  alledged  againft  Hufs,  who  explained  fome, 
and  defended  others.  Many  other  articles  of  accufation 
werealfo  read,  which  were  proved  by  witneffesagainfthim. 
His  fate  was  determined,  his  vindication  disregarded,  and 
judgment  was  pronounced.  His  books  were  thereby 
condemned,  and  he  was  declared  a  manifeft  heretic,  con- 
victed of  having  taught  many  herefies  and  pernicious 
errors ;  of  having  defpifed  the  keys  of  the  church,  and 
ecclefiaitical  cenfures  •  of  having  feduced  and  given  fcan- 
dal  to  the  faithful  by  his pbitinacy  ;  and  of  having  raflily 
appealed  to  the  tribunal  of  Chriil :  The  council,  there- 
fore, cenfured  him  for  being  obltinate  and  incorrigible,  and 
ordained,  '  That  he  mould  be  degraded  from  the  prieft- 
6  hood,  his  books  publicly  burnt,  and  himfelf  delivered  to 
<  the  fecular  power.' 

Doctor  Hufs  heard  this  fentence  without  the  leaft  emo- 
tion. He  kneeled  down,  with  his  eyes  lifted  towards 
heaven,  and  laid,  with  all  the  fpirit  of  primitive  martyr- 
dom, "May  thy  infinite  mercy,  O  my  God,  pardon  this 
"  injuftice  of  my  enemies.  Thou  knoweit  the  injuitice 
<l  of  their  accufations :  How  deformed  with  crimes  I  have 
(l  been  reprefented ;  how  I  have  been  opprefied  by 
"  wortfhlefs  witnef  es,  and  an  unjuft  condemnation  :  Ti'et, 
u  O  my  God,  let  that  mercy  of  thine,  which  no  tongue 
"  can  exprefs,  prevail  with  thee  not  to  avenge  my  wrongs" 
Thefe  excellent  fen tences  were  fo  many  expreffons  of 
treafon  againit  the  trade  of  prielkraft,  and  conftdered  as 

fuch 


H  U  S  S.  61 

fuch  by  the  narrow-minded  affiftants.  The  bifhops  ap- 
pointed by  the  council  ftript  him  of  his  prieftly  garments, 
degraded  him  from  his  prieftly  function  and  univcrfity 
degrees,  and  put  a  mitre  of  paper  on  his  head,  on  which 
devils  were  painted,  with  this  inl'cription,  in  great  letters, 
*  A  ring-leader  of  HERETICS.'  Our  heroic  martyr 
received  this  mock-mitre,  fmiling,  and  faid,  "  It  was  lei's 
"  painful  than  the  crown  of  thorns. "  A  lerenity,  a  joy, 
a  compofure,  appeared  in  his  looks,  which  indicated  that 
his  foul  had  cut  off  many  itages  of  tedious  journey,  in  her 
way  to  the  point  of  eternal  joy  and  everlafting  peace. 

The  biihons  delivered  Hufs  to  the  emperor,  who  put 
him  into  the  hands  of  the  duke  of  Bavaria.  His  books 
were  burnt  at  the  gate  of  the  church,  and  he  was  led  to 
the  fuburbs  to  be  burnt  alive.  Prior  to  his  execution, 
Mr-  Hufs  made  his  folemn  appeal  to  God,  from  the  judg- 
ment of  the  pope  and  council.  In  this  appeal  (the  whole 
of  which  would  well  repay  the  reader's  perufal,)  he  again 
repeats  his  allured  faith  in  the  doctrine  of  election  ;  where 
he  celebrates  the  willingnefs  with  which  Chrift  vouch- 
fafed,  "  By  the  moft  bitter  and ignominious  death y  to  REDEEM 

"    the    CHILDREN   OF  GOD,     CHOSEN    BEFORE  THE 

"  foundation  of  the  world,  from  everlafting  dam- 
u  nation."  When  he  came  to  the  place  of  execution, he 
fell  on  his  knees,  fang  portions  of  pfalms,  looked  fteadfaftly 
towards  heaven,  and  repeated  thefe  words  :  "  Into  thy 
"  hands,  O  Lord,  do  I  commit  my  fpirit  ;  thou  haft 
t(  redeemed  me,  O  moft  good  and  faithful  God.  Lord 
"  Jefus  Chrift,  afiift  and  help  me,  that  with  a  firm  and 
"  patient  mind,  by  thy  moft  powerful  grace,  I  may  un- 
u  dergo  this  mod  cruel  and  ignominious  death,  to  which 
"  I  am  condemned  for  preaching  the  truth  of  thy  moft 
"  holy  gofpel."  When  the  chain  was  put  about  him  at 
the  flake,  he  faid,  with  a  fmiling  countenance,  "  My 
"  Lord  jefus  Chrift  was  bound  with  a  harder  chain  than 
"  this  for  my  foke  ;  and  why  mould  I  be  alhamed  of  this 

F  "  old 


6,2  H  U  S'S. 

"-old  rufty  one?"  When  the  faggots  were, piled  up  to 
his  very  neck,  the  duke  of  Bavaria  was  officious  enough 
to  defire  him  to  abjure.  "  No,  fays  Hufs,  I  never 
"  preached  any  doctrine  of  an  evil  tendency  ;  and  what 
"  I  taught  with  my  lips,  I  now  feal  with  my  blood."  He 
faid  to  the  executioner,  "  Are  you  going  to  burn  a  goofe  ? 
"  In  one  century,  you  will  have  a  fwan  you  can  neither 
"  roaft  nor  boil."  If  he  was  prophetic,  he  muft  have 
meant  Luther,  who  had  a  fwan  for  his  arms.  The 
flames  were  then  applied  t;o  the  faggots,  when  the  martyr 
fang  a  hymn  with  fo  loud  and  chearful  a  voice,  that  he 
was  heard  through  all  the  cracklings  of  the  combuftibles, 
and  the  noife  of  the  multitude.  At  laft  his  voice  was  cut 
ihort,  after  he  had  uttered,  "  Jefus  Chrift,  thou  Son  of 
<(  the  living  GOD,  have  mercy  upon  me;"  and  he  was 
confumed  in  a  moft  miferable  manner.  The  duke  of 
Bavaria  ordered  the  executioner  to  throw  all  the  martyr's 
cloaths  into  the  flames :  After  which,  his  allies  were  care- 
fully collected,  and  caft  into  the  Rhine. 

While  doctor  Hufs  was  in  prifon,  he  wrote  fome  trea- 
tifes  about  the  commands  of  God,  of  the  Lord's  prayer, 
of  mortal  fin,  of  marriage,  of  the  knowledge  and  love  of 
God,  of  the  three  enemies  of  man,  and  the  feven  mortal 
{ins,  of  repentance,  and  of  the  facrament  of  the  body  and 
blood  of  Chrift.  He  alfo  drew  up  a  little  piece  about  the 
communion  in  both  kinds.  He  w  rote  an  anfwer  to  the 
proportions  drawn  out  of  his  books,  which  had  been 
communicated  to  him  :  And  he  prepared  three  difcourfes  ; 
one  about  the  fufhciency  of  the  law  of  Jefus  Chrift  ;  ano- 
ther to  explain  his  faith  about  the  laft  articles  of  the  creed  5 
and  the  third  about  peace.  All  thefe  treatifes  were  prin- 
ted in  one  volume  at  Nuremburg  in  1558  :  As  alfo  a  fec- 
ond  volume  containing  a  harmony  of  the  four  evangelifts, 
with  moral  notes  ;  many  fermons  ;  a  commentary  upon 
theflrft  feven  chapters  of  the  firft  epiftle  to  the  Corinthi- 
ans: commentaries  upon  the  feven  .canonical  epiftles,  the 

cixth 


H  U  S  S.  63 

cixthpSalm,  and  thofe  following  to  the  cxixth;  and  Seve- 
ral  other  pieces,  which,  if  they  were  not  altogether  cor- 
rect, mud  be  imputed  to  the  reigning  darknefs  of  the 
times,  and  to  his  inceiVant  conflicts  with  the  ions  of  Rome*. 
This  great  martyr,  as  well  as  his  friend  Jerom,  may  be 
confidered,  in  fome  meaSure,  as  dying  for  the  principles 
of  Wickliffe,  or  rather  the  principles  of  the  gofpel,  trans- 
mitted to  them  from  England.  To  preferve  the  memory 
of  this  excellent  man,  the  feventh  of  July  was,  for  many 
years,  held  1  acred  among  the  Bohemians.  In  lbme  places 
large  fires  were  lighted  in  the  evening  of  that  day  upon 
the  mountains,  to  preferve  the  memory  of  his  Sufferings  ; 
round  which  the  country  people  would  aiTemble,  and  fmg 
hymns. 

As  a  Specimen  of  the  compofed  Spirit  of  this  excellent 
martyr,  in  the  midft  of  this  virulent  perfecution,  we  will 
Subjoin  one  of  his  letters,  which  he  wrote  from  the  pfifon, 
to  his  friends  in  Bohemia. 

"  My  dear  friends,  let  me  take  this  lad  opportunity 
of  exhorting  you  to  truft  in  nothing  here  ;  but  to  <nve 
yourfelves  up  entirely  to  the  Service  of  GOD.  Well 
am  I  authorized  to  warn  you  not  to  truft  in  princes, 
nor  in  any  child  of  man,  for  there  is  no  help  in  them. 
GOD  only  remainerh  fteadfaft.  What  he  promifeth, 
"  he  will  undoubtedly  perform.  As  to  myfelf,  on  his 
"  gracious  promife  I  reft.  Having  endeavoured  to  be  his 
"  faithful  Servant,  I  fear  not  being  deferted  by  him. 
"  Where  I  am,  fays  my  gracious  promiSer,  there  (hall  my 
Servant  be — May  the  GOD  of  heaven  preferve  you  ! 
— This  is  probably  the  laft  letter  I  mall  be  enabled  to 


a 


<: 


a 


write. 


I  have  reaSon  to  believe,  I  {hall  be  called  upon 

to-morrow  to  anfwer  with  my  life Sigifmund  hath, 

•  in  all  things,  acted  deceitfully.  I  pray,  GOD  forgive 
"  him  !  You  have  heard  in  what  Severe  language  he  hath 
*  Spoken  to  me." 

r-r-i- 

1  nere 


a 


64  H  U  S  S. 

There  are  feveral  other  letters  in  Fox's  acts  and  monu- 
ments, in  old  En  glim  ;  to  which  we  muft  refer  our  read- 
ers. They  all  breathe  the  lame  fpirit  of  piety,  firmnefs 
and  inward  confolation. 


JERO  M    of     P  R  A  G  U  E. 

The  L  AY.REFORME  R. 


FIE  AT  were  the  commotions,  which  prevailed  in 
the  world;,  about  the  time  of  the  promulgation  of 
the  golpel  in  Germany.  The  truth  had  every  kind  of 
prejudice  to  encounter  ;  nor  did  the  kingdom  of  darknefs 
yield  to  its  power  without  violent  ftrnggles  and  diforder. 
And  all  protectants,  who  are  proteihnts  indeed,  and  who 
know  the  grace  of  GOD  and  his  gofpel,  have  realbn  to 
blefs  that  wonderful  providence,  by  which  many  of  the 
European  nations  were  delivered  from  the  groneft  dark- 
nefs and  ignorance,  and  by  which  indeed  even  popifli 
nations  have  been  led  to  the  revival  of  knowledge,  and  to 
difdain  in  part  the  blind  fubmiiiion,  they  once  univerfally 
fnewed,  to  the  corrupted  fee  of  Rome. 

Jerom  of  Prague  was  the  companion  and  co-martyr  of 
doclor  Hufs,  to  whom  he  was  inferior  in  experience,  age, 
and  authority  ;  but  he  was  efteemed  his  fuperior  in  all 
polite  and  liberal  endowments.  He  was  born  at  Prague, 
and  educated  in  that  univerfity,  where  he  was    admitted 

mailer 


JEROM    of    PRAGUE.  6$ 

mailer  of  arts;  and  promoted  the  doctrine  of  Wickliifc  in 
conjun  ctton.  with  Hufs.  He  travelled  into  molt  of  the 
itates  of  Europe,  and  was  every  where  eiteemed  for  his 
happy  elocution,  which  gave  him  great  advantages  in  the 
fchools,  where  he  promoted  what  Hufs  had  advanced. 
The  univerfities  of  Paris,  Cologne,  and  Heidelberg,  con 
ferred  the  degree  of  mailer  of  arts  upon  him.  He  isfaid 
alio  to  have  had  the  degree  of  mailer  of  arts  conferred 
upon  him  at  Oxford  ;  but  it  is  certain,  that  he  commenced 
doctor  in  divinity,  in  the  year  1396.  He  began  to  pub- 
liili  the  fame  doctrine  with  doctor  Hufs  in  1408,  audit  is 
averred,  that  he  had  a  greater  fliare  of  learning  and  fub- 
tility  than  his  excellent  friend.  However  that  may  be, 
the  council  of  Conltance  kept  a  very  watchful  eye  upon 
him,  and  eiteemed  him  to  be  a  very  dangerous perfon  to 
the  interefts  of  Rome.  While  he  was  in  England,  and 
molt  probably  when  at  Oxford,  he  copied  out  the  books 
of  Wickliife,  and  returned  with  them  to  Priome.  By 
that  great  man's  evangelical  writings,  it  pleafei  GOD  to 
work  upon  him,  and  upon  his  friend  doctor  Hufs,  to  the 
acknowledgement  of  his  truth. 

Jerom  was  cited  before  the  council  of  Conilance,  on  the 
feventeenth  of  April,  1415,  when  his  friend  doctor  Hufs 
was  confined  in  a  caitle  near  that  city.  He  arrived  at  Con- 
ilance in  the  fame  month,  when  he  was  informed  how  his 
friend  had  been  treated,  and  that  he  alio  would  be  feized: 
Upon  which,  Jerom  retired  to  Iberlingen,  an  imperial 
city,  from  whence  he  wrote  to  the  emperor  and  council 
to  defire  a  fafe  conduct ;  and  pae  was  prefented  to  him, 
which  gave  him  permiffion  to  come,  but  not  to  return. 
He  then  caufed  a  proteftation  to  be  fixed  up,  wherein  he 

clared,  that  he  would  appear  before  the  council  to  juf- 
tify  himfelf,  if  a  proper  fafe  conduct  was  granted  :  And 
he  demanded  of  the  Bohemian  lords  an  act  of  his  declara- 
tion. After  this,  he  began  his  journey  to  return  into 
Bohemia :  But  he  was  flopt  at  Hirfchau,  by  the  officers 
F  2  of 


66  JEROM   of    PRAGUE. 

John  the  fon  of  prince  Clement,  count  Palatine,  who 
had  the  government  of  Sultzbach  :  And  Lewis,  another 
fon  of  the  fame  prince,  carried  Jerom  to  Conftance, 
where  he  was  to  anfwer  the  fame  accufaticn  as  had  been 
exhibited  againft  doctor  Hufs,  who  was  martyred  on  the 
feveri th  of  July. 

Jerom  had  many  friends  at  the  council,  who  bore  him 
great  affection,  and  tried  all  they  could  to  bring  him  to 
a  recantation  ;  as  they  were  convinced  he  had  no  prof- 
peel:  of  efcaping  if  he  took  his  trial,  becaufe  the  emperor 
had  declared  that  he  mould  be  exemplarily  puniihed. 
His  friends  prevailed,  and  he  was  brought  before  the 
council,  in  the  nineteenth  feflion,  held  the  twenty-third 
of  September,  when  he  read  a  public  abjuration  of  his 
doctrines,  thinking  thereby  to  elude  his  profecution. 

In  this  retractation,  he  is  faid  to  have  anathematized 
the  doctrines  of  WicklifTe  and  Hufs;  to  have  protefted, 
that  he  was  of  the  fame  fentiments  with  the  Romiih 
church  ;  and  to  have  profeiled,  that  he  would  follow  its 
doctrine,  particularly  about  the  keys,  the  facraments,  the 
orders,  the  offices,  and  the  cenfures  of  the  apoitolic  fee  ; 
as  alio  concerning  indulgences,  the  relics  of  faints,  eccle- 
fiaftical  liberty,  and  the  ceremonies.  It  is  farther  faid, 
that  he  thereby  approved  the  condemnation  of  the  articles 
which  the  council  prefcri-bed  ;  acknowledged  they  were 
faithfully  extracted  from  the  works  of  .Hufs,  and  that  he 
was  juftly  condemned.  But  he  was  carried  back  to  pri- 
fon,  notwithstanding  this  recantation,  and  was  accufed  of 
infmcerity.  New  articles  of  accufation  were  brought 
againft  him,  and  it  was  alledged,  that  it  would  be  dan- 
gerous to  let  him  at  liberty.  He  immediately  repented 
of  his  abjuration;  and  of  condemning  Hufs.  He  defired 
audience  of  the  council,  and  was  twice  heard  in  the  gene- 
ral congregations  held  in  May,  141 6,  when  one  hundred 
and  feven  heads  of  accufation  were  propofed  againft  him, 
which  he  endeavored  to  anfwer,  and  made  an  oration, 

wherein 


JEROM    of    PRAGUE.  67 

wherein  he  declared  that  he  repented  of  his  recantation, 
and  of  having  approved  the  condemnation  of  Wickliffe 
and  Httfs.  Dupin  alio  lays,  that  the  fathers  of  the 
council  were  fully  fatisfied  of  his  relapfe,  and  lent  for  hiin 
to  the  twenty-firft  felfion,  held  the  thirtieth  of  May. 
The  biihop  ofLondi,  who  preached  the  fermon  previous 
to  the  condemnation  of  Hufs,  now  preached  another  to 
niher  in  the  fate  of  Jerom.  When  the  fermon  was  ended, 
the  martyr,  unjuftly  ltigmatized  a  heretic,  declared  he 
Hill  perfifted  in  his  laft  retraction,  and  told  them,  that 
they  would  condemn  him  wickedly  and  unjuflly.  But 
(fays  he)  after  my  death,  I  will  leave  a  fling  in  }rour 
confeience  and  a  nail  in  your  hearts,  et  cito  vos  omnes, 

UTRESPONDEATISM1H1  CORAM  ALTISS1MO  ET  JUSTISI- 
MO  JUDICE,  POST  CENTUM  annos  :  That  is,  "  I  cite 
"  you  all  to  anfwer  to  me  before  the  moft  high  and  the 
"  mod:  juft  Judge,  within  a  hundred  years."  He  was 
then  condemned  as  a  heretic  relapfed,  delivered  over  to 
the  fecular  power,  and  led  away  to  death,  which  he  en- 
dured with  great  conftancy. 

Such  is  the  account  given  by  the  popifh  writers  :  But 
the  Florentine  fecretary,  Poggius,  who  was  a  fpectator 
of  all  he  relates,  and  gave  a  full  account  of  the  matter  to 
Aretin  the  pope's  fecretary,  is  moft  circumstantial  and 
impartial  in  his  relation  of  this  affair.  He  tells  us,  (as 
we  lhall  fee  below)  that  as  Jerom  was  returning  to  Bohe- 
mia, he  was  brought  back  to  Conftance  by  the  duke  of 
Bavaria ;  and,  the  next  day,  carried  as  a  prifoner  before 
the  council,  where  it  foon  appeared,  that  his  abjuration 
had  flipt  from  him  in  an  unguarded  hour  through  the 
weaknefs  of  the  flem.  Poggius:  who  was  one  of  the  belt 
judges  of  the  age,  alferts,  that  Jerom  fpoke  with  fuch  a 
quicknefs  of  fentiment,  fuch  a  dignity  of  exprefnon,  and 
fuch  ftrength  of  argument,  that  he  feemed  to  equal  the 
nobleft  of  the  ancient  compofitions.  When  forne  mem- 
bers of  the  council  called  out  to  him  to  put  in  bis  anf- 

wers, 


68  JEROM    of    PRAGUE. 

wers,  he  told  the   aflembly,   that  the  objections  againft  ' 
him  were  the  effects  of  prepoilefiion  and  prejudice  :  'ihat, 
therefore,  in  juitice,  they  ihould  permit  him  to  lay  open 
the  whole  tenor  of  his  doctrine,  life-,   and  converfation, 
whereby   he  could  indubitably  weaken  and  invalidate  all 
the  prepofielnons,  which  ignorant  zeal  and  open  malice 
had  rendered  too  (Irong  againil  him  in  his  unhappy  con- 
dition.    He  was   told,    he    could   not  expecl  fuch  indul- 
gence.     This    exhaufted  his  patience,  and  he   exclaimed 
tothe  whole  aflembly  in  thefe  terms.      "  What  barbarity 
il  is  this !  For  three  hundred  and  forty  days  have  I  been 
li  through  all  the  variety   of  prifons.     There  is  not  a 
"  mifery,  there  is  pot  a  want,  that  I  have  not  experien- 
lt  ced.     To  my  enemies  you  have  allowed  the  fuileit  fcope 
"  of  accufation  :   To  me  you  deny  the  leaft  opportunity 
i(  of  defence.     Not  an  hour  will  you  indulge  me  in  pre- 
i{  paring  my  trial.      You  have    fw allowed  the  blacken: 
"  calumnies  againil  me.     You  have  reprefented  me  as  a 
"  heretic,  without  knowing  what  is  my  doctrine  ;  as  an 
(<  enemy  to  the  faith,  before  you  know  what  faith  I  prc- 
il  felled;  and  as  a  perfecutor  of  priefts,  before  you  could 
f*  have  any  opportunity  of  underilanding  my  fentiments 
"  on  that  head.      You  are  a  general   council :    In    you 
"  center  all  that  this  world  can  communicate  of  gravity, 
"  wifdom,and  fanctity :  But  {till  you  are  men,  and  men 
"  are  feducible  by  appearances.     The  higher  your   cha- 
"  racier  is  for  wifdom,  the  greater  ought  your  care  to  be 
"  not  to  deviate  into  folly.     The   caufe  I  now  plead  is 
"  not  my  own  caufe ;  It  is  the  caufe  of   men  ;  it  is  the 
"  caufe    of  ChriiVians ;  it  is  the  caufe  which  is  to  affecl 
"  the  rights  of  poiierity,  however  the  experiment  is  to 
."  be  made  in   my  perfon."     The  bigotted  part  of  the 
aflembly  conndered  this  fpeech  as  poifon  to   the  ears  of 
the  auditors :  But   many  of  the  members    were  men  of 
taiie  and  learning,  who    were  favorably  inclined   to  the 
prifoner,  and  pitied  him  in  their  hearts,  though    a  re- 
firaint  was  .on  their  tongues.     - 

Jerom 


JEROM   of   PRAGUE.  69 

Jerom  was  obliged  to  give  way  to  their  authority,  and 
to  hear  his  charge  read,  which  was  reduced  under  thefe 
heads  ;  '  That  he  was  a  derider  of  the  papal  dignity,  an 
'  oppofer  of  the  pope,  an  enemy  of  the  cardinals,  a  per- 
1  fecutor  of  the  prelates,  and  a  hater  of  the  Chriitian 
'  religion.'  He  anfwered  this  charge  with  an  amazing 
force  of  elocution,  and  ftrength  of  argument.  "  Now, 
"  fays  he,  wretch  that  I  am !  whither  fhall  I  turn  me  ? 
"  To  my  accufers !  My  accufers  are  as  deaf  as  adders. 
"  To  you  my  judges!  Yc*j  are  prepoflfefTed  by  the  arts 
u  of  my  accufers."  We  are  told  by  Poggius,  that  Jerom 
in  all  he  fpoke,  laid  nothing  unbecoming  a  great  and  wife 
man :  And  he  candidly  aflerts,  that,  if  what  Jerom  faid 
was  tr.ue,  he  was  not  only  free  from  capital  guilt,  but 
from  the  imalleii  blame. 

The  trial  of  Jerom  was  brought  on  the  third  day  after 
his  accufation,  and  witneifes  were  examined  in  fupportof 
the  charge.  The  prifoner  was  prepared  for  his  defence  ; 
which  will  appear  almoft  incredible,  when  it  is  confidered 
that  he  had  been  three  hundred  and  forty  days  ihut  up  in 
a  dark  offenfive  dungeon,  deprived  of  day-light,  food,  and 
lleep.  His  fpirit  foared  above  thefe  difadvantages,  under 
which  a  man  lefs  enabled,  muft  have  funk  ;  nor  was  he 
more  'at  a  lofs  for  quotations  from  fathers  and  ancient 
authors,  than  if  he  had  been  f'urnimed  with  the  fined 
library  in  Europe. 

Many  of  the  zealots  and  bigots  of  the  aiTembly  were 
againlt  his  being  heard,  as  they  knew  what  effect  elo- 
quence is  apt  to  have  on  the  minds  even  of  the  rnoft  pre- 
judiced. However,  it  was  carried  by  the  majority  that 
he  mould  have  liberty  to  proceed  in  his  defence,  which 
he  began  in  fuch  an  exalted  ftrain  of  moving  elocution, 
that  the  heart  of  obdurate  zeal  was  feen  to  melt,  and  the 
nnnd  of  lupentition  feemed  to  admit  a  ray  of  conviction. 
He  made  an  admirable  diftinction  between  evidence  as 
refting  on  fa-5ts;  and  as  fupported  by  malice  and  calumny. 


7o  jEROM    of:PRAGUE. 

He  laid- before  the  affembly  the  whole  tenor  of  his  life 
and  conduct,  which  he  owned  had  been  always  open  and 
unreferved.  He  juftly  obferved,  that  the  greateft  and 
moft  holy  men  have  been  known  to  differ  in  points  of 
fpeculation,  with  a  view  to  diftinguiih  truthr  not  to  keep 
it  concealed.  And  he  then  expreffed  a  noble  contempt  of 
all  his  enemies,  who  would  have  induced  him  to  retract 
the  caufe  of  religion  and  truth.  He  next  entered  on  a 
high  encomium  upon  doclor  John  Hufs  ;  and  declared  he 
was  ready  to  follow  him  in  the  glorious  tract  of  martyr- 
dom. He  was  (laid  Jerom)  a  good,  juft  and  holy  man, 
and  very  unworthy  of  the  death  which  he  fuffered.  He 
knew  him,  from  his  youth  upward,  to  be  neither  forni- 
cator, drunkard,  nor  addicted  to  any  kind  of  vice ;  on 
the  contrary,  he  was  a  chafte  and  fober  man,  and  a  faith- 
ful and  true  preacher  of  the  bleffed  gofpel.  That,  with 
refpect  to  himfelf,  whatfoever  things  Wickliffe  and  Hufs 
had  written,  and  efpecially  againft  the  pomp  and  pride  of 
the  clergy,  he  would  affirm  to  his  lateft  breath,  that  they 
were  holy  and  bleffed  men,  and  that  nothing  fo  much 
troubled  his  confcience  as  the  fin,  which  he  committed  by 
his  recantation  in  fpeaking  againft  them,  which  recantati- 
on he  utterly  abjured  and  abhorred  from  the  bottom  of 
his  heart.  He  added,  that  he  could  not  help  faying, 
with  his  dying  breath,  it  was  certainly  impious  that  the 
patrimony  of  the  church,  which  was  originally  intended 
for  the  purpofe  of  charity  and  univerfal  benevolence, 
fliould  be  proftituted  to  the  luft  of  the  fleih,  and  the  pride 
of  the  eye,  in  whores,  feafts,  foppiih  veftments,  and  other 
reproaches  to  the  name  and  profeffion  of  Christianity. 

The  prifoner  received  many  interruptions  from  the 
impertinence  of  fome,  and  the  inveteracy  of  others  :  But 
he  anfwered  every  one  wkh  fo  much  readinefs,  and  viva- 
city of  thought,  that,  at  1  ail,  they  were  amamed,  and  he 
was  permitted  to  finifh  his  defence.  His  voice  wasfweet, 
clear,  and.  fonorous  ;  pliable    t©  captivate  every  paffioia, 

and 


JEROM   of    PRAGUE.  71 

and  able  to  conciliate  every  affection,  which  he  knew 
how  to  do  with  wonderful  addrefs.  He  Was  admired  by 
his  enemies,  and  compallionated  by  his  friends :  But  he 
received  the  fame  fentence  that  had  been  palled  upon  his 
martyred  friend ;  and,  Poggius  fays,  the  ailembly  con- 
demned him  with  great  reluctance. 

The  fame  author  tells  us,  that  Jerom  had  two  days 
allowed  for  his  recantation  ;  and  chat  the  cardinal  of  Flo- 
rence ufed  all  the  arguments  he  could  for  that  effect, 
which  were  ineffectual.  The  reformer  wasrefolved  to  feal 
his  doctrine  with  his  blood ;  he  could  not  be  feduced  to 
make  another  retractation  ;  and  he  fuffered  death  with  all 
the  magnanimity  of  Hufs.  He  embraced  the  flake  to 
which  he  was  fattened,  with  the  peculiar  malice  of  wet 
cords.  When  the  executioner  went  behind  him  to  fet 
fire  to  the  pile,  "  Come  here,  faid  the  martyr,  and  kindle 
"  it  before  my  eyes;  for  if  I  dreaded  fuch  a  fight,  I 
"  mould  never  have  come  to  this  place,  when  I  had  a 
"  free  opportunity  to  efcape."  The  fire  was  kindled, 
and  he  then  fung  a  hymn,  which  was  foon  finifhed  by  the 
incircling  flames. 

He  cried  out  feveral  times,  In  manustuas,  Domine,  com- 
mendo  fpiritum  meum;  i.  e.  "  Into  thy  hands,  O  Lord,  I 
"  commend  my  fpirit."  His  laft  words,  which  could  be 
heard  were  ;  "  O  Lord  GOD,  the  Father  Almighty, 
u  have  mercy  upon  me,  and  forgive  all  my  fins  ;  Thou 
"  knoweft,  with  what  (incerity  I  have  loved  thy  truth." 
He  appeared  to  endure  much  by  the  fire  for  a  fpace  of  a 
quarter  of  an  hour.,  all  the  while  feeming,  by  the  motion 
of  his  lips,  to  pray  within  himfelf.  After  he  was  dead, 
his.  bed,  cloaths,  and  the  other  things  he  had  with  him  in 
prilon,  were  thrown  into  the  fire  andconfumed  with  him. 
Finally,  the  allies  were  gathered  together,  and  cait  into 
the  river  Rhine,  which  runs  clofe  by  the  city. 

We  cannot  conclude  this  account  of  Jerom,  without 
annexing  at  large  the  molt  honorable  teftimony  given  of 

him 


72  JEROM   of   PRAGUE, 

him  by  Poggius  of  Florence  an  adverfary  and  the  fecretary 
of  two  popes,  and  confequently  not  a  more  favorable  tefti- 
mony  than  truth  itfelf  compelled.  We  copy  it  from  Mr. 
Gilpin's  valuable  and  elegant  hiilory  of  Jerom  ;  whofe  life 
of  Zifca,  the  great  General  of  the  Bohemians,  is  an  admi- 
rable performance. 

A  Letter  from  Poggius  of  Florence  to  Leonard  Arefin* 

1  In  the  midft  of  a  ihort  excurfion  into  the  country,  I 
-  wrote  to  our  common  friend ;  from  whom,  I  doubt  not, 

*  you  have  had  an  account  of  me. 

'  Since  my  return  to  Conftance,  my  attention  hath  been 
4  wholly  engaged  by  Jerom,  the  Bohemian  heretic,  as  he 
'  is  called.      The    eloquence,   and  learning,    which  this 

*  perfon  hath  employed  in  his  own  defence  are  fo  extra- 
1  ordinary,  that  I  cannot  forbear  giving  you  a  lhort  ac- 
f  count  of  him. 

'  To  confefs  the  truth,  I  never  knew  the  art  of  fpeak- 
1  ing  carried  fo  near  the  model  of  ancient  eloquence.  It 
'  was  indeed  amazing  to  hear  with  what  force  of  expref- 

*  fion,  with  what  fluency  of  language,  and  with  what 
'  excellent  reafoning  he  anfwered  his  adverfaries;  nor 
e  was  I  lefs  {truck  with  the  gracefulnefs  of  his  manner  ; 
1  the  dignity  of  his  action ;  and  the  firmnefs,    and  con- 

<  ftancy  of  his  whole  behaviour.      It  grieved  me  to  think 

<  fo  great  a  man  was  labouring  under  fo  atrocious  an  ac- 
f  cufation.  Whether  this  accufation  be  a  jull  one,  God 
6  knows  :  For  myfelf,  I  enquire  not  into  the  merits  of 
'  it ;  refting  fatisfied  with  the  decifion  of  my  fuperiors. 
?  — But  I  will  juft  give  you  a  fummary  of  his  trial. 

(  After  many  articles  had  been  proved  againfl  him, 
(  leave  was  at  length  given  him  to  aniwer  each  in  its  or- 
1  der.  But  Jerom  long  refufed,  flrennoufly  contending, 
c  that  he  had  many  things  to  fay  previously  in  his  defence; 
c  and  that  he  ought  firfl  to  be  heard  in  general,  before  he 
(  descended  to  particulars. — When  this. was  over-ruled, 
'  HereA   faid  he,  {landing,  in  the  midlt  of  the  aflembly, 

here 


JEROM   of  P  II  A  G  U  E.  73 

"  here  is  juftice;  here  is  equity.  Befct  by  my  enemies, 
"  I  am  already  pronounced  a  heretic  :  I  am  condemned, 
u  before  I  am  examined.  Were  you  gods  omnifcient, 
*4  inftead  of  an  aflembly  of  fallible  men,  you  could  not 
M  ac:  with  more Tuffidency — Error  is  the  lot  of  mortals  ; 
"  and  you,  exalted  as  you  are,  are  fubjeii  to  it.  })..■ 
*'  conikler,  that  ihe  higher  you  are  exalted,  of  the  more 
*<  dangerous  confequence  are  your  errors — As  for  me, 
*<  I  know  I  am  a  wretch  below  your  notice  :  But  ac 
"  lead  confider,  that  an  unjuft  action,  in  fuch  an  al- 
u  fembly,  will  be  of  dangerous  example.'7 

1  This,  and  much  more,  he  {'poke  with  great  elegance 
4  of  language,  in  the  midit  of  a  very  unruly  and  indecent 

*  afTembly  :  And  thus  far  at  leail  he  prevailed  ;  the  coun- 
4  cil  ordered,  that  he  mould  firft  ani'wer  objections ;  and 
1  promil'ed  that  he  fliould  then  have  liberty  to  fpeak. 
4  Accordingly,  all  the  articles  alledged  againit  him  were 
4  publicly  read;  and  then  proved ;  after  which  he  was 
4  aiked,  whether  he  had  aught  to  object?    It  is  incredible 

*  with  what  acutenefs  he  anfwered  ;  and  with  what 
amazing  dexterity  he  warded  off  every  ftroke  of  his  ad- 
veriaries.  Nothing  efcaped  him  :  His  whole  behaviour 
was  truly  great  and  pious.  If  he  were  indeed  the  man 
his  defence  fpoke  him,  he  was  fo  far  from  meriting 
death,  that,  in  my  judgment,  he  was  not  in  any  degree 
culpable — In  a  word,  he  endeavoured  to  prove,  that 
the  greater  part  of  the  charge  was  purely  the  invention 

4  of  his  adverfaries. — Among  other  things,  being  accufed 
4  of  hating  and  defaming  the  holy  fee,  the  pope,  the  car- 
4  dinals,  the  prelates,  and  the  whole  ftate  of  the  clergy, 
'  he  ftretched  out  his  hands,  and  faid,  in  a  molt  moving 
4  accent,  "  On  what  tide,  reverend  fathers,  mail  I  turn 
4i  me  for  redrefs?  whom  (hall  I  implore?  whofe aiTiirance. 
"  can  I  expect?  which  of  you  hath  not  this  malicious 
"  charge  entirely  alienated  from  me  ?  which  of  you  hath 
<i  it  not  changed  from  a  judge  into  an  inveterate  enemy  ? 
G  "  —It 


74  JEROM   of  PRAGUE. 

*'  —It  was  artfully  alledged  indeed  !  Though  other  parts 
"  of  their  charge  were  of  lefs  moment,  my  accufers 
"  might  weirimagiue,  that  if  this  were  faflened  on  me, 
u  it  could  not  fail  of  drawing  upon  me  the  united  in- 
"  dignation  of  my  judges." 

1  On  the  third  day  of  this  memorable  trial,  what  had 

*  palled  was  recapitulated  ;  When  Jerom,  having  obtained 
'  leave,  though  with  fome  difficulty,  to  fpeak,  began  his 

*  oration  with  a  prayer  to  God ;  whofe  divine  afliftance 
■-'  he  pathetically  implored.  He  then  obferved,  that  many 
i  excellent  men,  in  the  annals  of  hiftory,  had  been  op- 

*  prefTed  by  falfe  witneiles,  and  condemned  by  unjuft 
'  judges.  Beginning  with  profane  hiftorv,  he  inftanced 
e  the  death  of  Socrates,  the  captivity  of  Plato,  the  baniih- 
'  ment  of  Anaxagoras,  and  the  unjuft  fufferings  of  many 
'  others :  He  then  inftanced  the  many  worthies  of  the 
6  Old  Teftarnent,  in  the  fame  circumftances,  Mofes,  Jg- 
6  feph,  Daniel,  and  almoft  all  the  prophets  ;  and  laitly 
•'  thofe  of  the  new,  John  the  Baptift,  St.  Stephen,  and 
6  others,  who  were  condemned  as  feditious,   profane,  or 

*  immoral  men.   _  An  unjuft  judgment,  he  faid,  proceed- 

*  in g  from  a  layic  was  bad;  from  a  prieft,  worfe;  ftill 
'  worfe  from  a  college  of  priefts ;  and  from  a    general 

'  council,  fuperlatively  bad Thefe  things  he   fpoke 

6  with  inch  force  and  ernphafis,  as  kept  every  one's  atten- 
-'  tion  awake. 

*  On  one  point  he  dwelt  largely.  As  the  merits  of  the 
6  caufe  refted  entirely  upon  the  credit  of  witneffes,  he 
c  took  great  pains  to  mew,  that  very  little  was  due  to 
i  thofe  produced  againft  him.  He  had  many  objections 
'  to  them,  particularly  their  avowed  hatred  to  him ;  the 

*  fources  of  which  he  fo  palpably  laid  open,  that  he  made 
6  a  itrong  imprelTion  upon  the  minds  of  his  hearers;  and 
'  not  a  little  Ihook  the  credit  of  the  witneffes.  The 
'  whole  council  %vas  moved,  and  greatly  inclined  to  pity, 
P  if  not  to  favour  him..     He  added,  that  he  came  uncom- 

i  pelled 


J  E  ROM    of    PR  AGUE.  7  5 

'  polled  to  the  council ;  and  that  neither  his  life  nor  doc- 

'  trine  had  heen  fuch,  as  gave  him  the  leaffc  reafon  to 

'  dread  an  appearance  before   them.     Difference  of  opi- 

c  nion,  faid  he,  in  matters  of  faith  had  ever  arifen  among 

learned  men;   and  was  always   eileemed  productive  of 

truth,  rather  than   of  error,  where  bigotry   was  laid 

afide.      Such,  he  laid,  was  the  difference  between  Auf- 

tin  and  Jerom  :  And   though    their  opinions   were  not 

only  different,  but  contradictory,  yet  the  imputation  of 

'  herefy  was  never  fixed  on  either. 

'  Every  one  expected  that  he  would  now  either  retract 
1  his  errors,  or  at  leaii  apologize  for  them :  But  nothing 
e  of  the  kind  was  heard  from  him:  He  declared  plainly, 
'  that  he  had  nothing  to  retract.  He  launched  out  into 
'  an  high  encomium  of  Hufs ;  calling  him  a  holy  man ; 
1  and  lamenting  his  cruel,  and  unjuil  death.  He  had 
'  armed  himfelf,  he  faid,  with  a  full  refolution  to  follow 
1  the  iteps  of  that  bleffed  martyr ;  and  to  iuffer  with  con- 
'  itancy  whatever  the  malice  of  his  enemies  could  inflict. 
V  The  perjured  witneffes,  (laid  he)  who  have  appeared 
"  againii  me,  have  wen  their  caufe:  Bur  let  them  re- 
"  member,  they  have  their  evidence  once  more  to  give 
"  before  a  tribunal,  where  fahnood  can  be  no  difguife.?> 
*  It  was  impoflible  to  hear  this  pathetic  fpeaker  with- 
'  out  emotion.     Every  ear  was   captivated;  and  every 

•  heart  touched — But  wiflies  in  his  favour  were  vain.- 
1  He  threw  himfelf  beyond  a  poflibility  of  mercy.  Brav- 
i  ing  death,  he  even  provoked  the  vengeance,  which  was 
4  hanging  over  him.  **  If  that  holy  martyr,  (faid  he, 
'  fpeaking  of  Hufs)  ufed  the  clergy  with  difreipeet,  his 
"  cenfures  were  not  levelled  at  them  as  priefes,  but  as 
"  wicked  men.  He  law  with  indignation  thofe  reve- 
"  nues,  which  had  been  defigned  for  charitable  ends, 
"  expended  upon  pageantry  and  riot." 

'  Through  this  whole  oration  he  (hewed  a  moft  amaz- 

*  ing  itrength  of  memory.     He  had  been  confined  alrnoft 


76  JEROM   of    PRAGU  E. 

■  a  year  in   a  dungeon  :  The   fe verity  of  which  ufage  he 

'  complained  of,    but  in  the  language    of  a    great  and 

'  good  man.      In  this  horrid   place,  he  was  deprived  of 

'  books  and  paper.     Yet  notwithstanding    this,  and  the 

'  confrant  anxiety,  which  rauft   have  hung  over  him,  he 

'  was  at  no  more  lofs  for  proper  authorities,  and  quota- 

*  tions,  than  if  lie  had  fpent  the  intermediate  time  st 
f  leiiureinhis  ftudy. 

'  His  voice  was    fweet,    diflinft,  and  full :  Hi*  action 

1  every  way  the  moll  proper,  either  to  exprefs  indigna- 

*  tion,  or  to  raife  pity  ;  though  he  made  no  affected  ap- 
'  plication  to  the  paflions  of  his  audience.  Firm,  and 
'  intrepid,  he  flood  before  the  council  ;  collected  in  him- 
'  felf;  and  not  only  concerning,  but  feeming  even  de- 
i  firous'of  death.  The  greater!  character  in  ancient  ftory 
'  could  not  pofiibly  go  beyond  him-     If  there  is  any  juf- 

*  tree  in  hiftory,  this  man  will  be  admired  by  all  pofte- 

<  rity-  I  fpeak  not  of  his  errors :  Let  thefe  reii  with 
1  him.  What  I  admired  was  his  learning,  his  eloquence, 
'  and  amazing  acutenefs.  God  knows  whether  thefe 
'  things  were  not  the  ground- work  of  his  ruin. 

1  Two  days  were  allowed  him  for  reflection ;  during 
c  which  time  many  perfons  of  confequence,  and  partial- 

*  larly  my  lord  cardinal  of  Florence,  endeavoured  to  bring 
'  him  to  a  better  mind-  But  perflating  obftinatel'y  in  his 
'  errors,  he  was  condemned  as  a  heretic. 

'  With  a  chearful  countenance,  and  more  than  ftoical 

<  conftahcy,  he  met  his  fate  ;  fearing  neither  death  itfelf, 
«  nor  the  horrible  form,  in  which  it  appeared.  When  he 
1  came   to    the  place,  he  pulled  off  his  upper   garment, 

<  and  made  a  fhort  prayer  at  the  (take ;  to  which  he  was 
'  foon  after  bound  with  wet  cords,  and  an  iron  chain  ; 
i  and  in  doled  as  high  as  his  bread  with  faggots. 

<  Obferving  the  executioner  about  to  fet   lire  to  the 

<  wood  behind  his  back,  he  cried  out,   «  Bring  thy  torch 

"  "  hither. 


JEROM    of    PRAGUE.  77 

4<  hither.  Perform  thy  office  before  my  face.  Had  I 
4i  feared  death,  I  might  have  avoided  it." 

'  As  the  wood  began  to  blaze,  he  fang  an  hymn,  which 
f  the  violence  of  the  flame  fcarce  interrupted. 

*  Thus  died  this  prodigious  man,  The  epithet  is  not 
'  extravagant.-  I  was  myielf  an  eye-witnefs  of  his  whole 
'  behaviour.      Whatever  his  life  may    have   been,   his 

*  death,  without  doubt,  is  a  leflbnof  philofophy. 

*  But  it  is  time?  to  fmiih  this  long  epiitle.     You  will 

*  fay  I  have    had  fome  leifure  upon   my  hands :  And,  to 

*  fay  the  truth,  I  have  not  much  to  do  here.     This  will, 

*  I  hope,  convince  you,  that  greatnefs  is  not  wholly  con- 
'  fined  to  •  antiquity,-  You  will  think  me  perhaps  te- 
4  dious  ;  but  I  could  have  been  more  prolix  on  a  fubjecl: 
'  fo  copious. -Farewel,  my  dear  Leonard.' 

Conibmce,  May  zotiu 

Such  was  the  teftimony  borne  to  an  cdverfary  by  this 
ingenuous  papift. 


&£>?*-— r~~-, ^===^==^^^t=^^^^^,^ 


PATRICK  HAMILTON 

THE  FIRST   SCOTCH   REFORMFR. 


PATRICK  HAMILTON  was  a   gentleman  of  Scot- 

J.      land,  of  royal  defcent,  a  circumftance  in  providence, 

that  was  fubfervient  to  raife  more  attention  to  his  excel - 

:i';ine;  holy  life,  and  patient  fufoings.  *  Ke  had 


G* 


an 


;8  PATRICK   HAMILTON. 

an  amiable  difpofition,  and  was  well  educed  ;  he  was 
very  early  made  abbot  of  Perme,  with  a  view  to  his  beino* 
one  day  more  highly  preferred.  At  the  age  of  twenty- 
three,  he  with  three  companions  travelled  into  Germany, 
in  purfuit  of  religious  knowledge,  and  coming  to  Witten- 
berg he  met  with  Luther  and  Melanclhon,  with  whom  he 
held  frequent  and  clofe  conferences,  and  by  whom  he  was 
well  inhructed  in  the  doctrines  of  the  gofpel.  From  thence 
he  went  to  Marpurg,  an  univerfity  newly  erected  by 
Philip  Landgrave  of  Hefie ;  he  became  intimately  ac- 
quainted with  Lambert,  our  Engliih  martyr,  at  whofe 
inftance  he  was  the  firft  in  that  univerfity  who  fet  up 
public  difputations  concerning  faith  and  works ;  the  pro- 
portions and  conclufions  of  which,  are  in  what  is  entitled 
Patrick's  Places,  of  which  excellent  tract  we  IhallTubjoin 
a  fpecimen  at  the  end  of  this  article. 

Ke  grew  daily  in  grace  and  in  the  knowledge  of  Jefus 
Chrift  ;  and  being  well  eftabliihed  in  the  faith,  and  much 
improved  in  all  ufeful  learning,  he  returned  with  one  of 
his  companions  to  Scotland,  defirous  to' impart  the  know- 
ledge of  the  trne  religion  to  his  countrymen.  With  a 
%Tiew  to  this,  he  began  to  preach  the  gofpel  of  jefus  Chrift 
with  great  fervency  and  boldnefs,  and  to  lay  open  the 
errors  and  corruptions  of  the  church  of  Rome.  This 
foon  alarmed  the  whole  body  of  the  clergy,  and  parti- 
cularly James  Beaton,  archbilhop  of  St.  Andrew's,  who 
laboured  to  get  Mr-  Hamilton  to  come  to  him  at  St.  An- 
drew's;  where,  after  ieveral  days  conference,  hewasdif- 
miffed,  the  archbilhop  feeming  to  approve  of  his  doctrine, 
acknowledging  that  many  things  wanted  reformation  in 
the  church.  But,  at  the  fame  time,  the  archbilhop  con- 
fulted  with  other  biihops,  to  put  the  king,  (who  was 
young  and  much  led  by  them)  upon  going  on  a  pilgrimage 
to  £t.  BotbeiTe  in  R.cis  ;  fo  that,  during  his  abience,  they 
might  condemn  Mr.  Hamilton,  as  no  intereft  could  then. 
fee  made  with  the   king  to  lave   his  life.  •   fylr.  Hamilton, 

fiot 


PATRICK    H  A  M  ILTO  N.  7^ 

not  fufpecting  their  malice  and  treachery,  remained  at  St. 
Andrew's;  and  the  king  being  gone  on  his  pilgpimage,  he 
was  cited  to  appear  before  the  archbiihop  and  his  col- 
leagues on  the  tirit  day  of  March,  1527.  The  arti- 
cles of  accufation  brought  again  ft  him,  which  he  was 
found  guilty  in  holding  and  maintaining,  and  for  which 
he  was  condemned  to  death,  are  the  following.     "  That 

u  man  hath  no  free-will — That  there  is  no  purgatory 

"  1  hat  the  holy  patriarchs  were  in  heaven  before  Chrifc's 
pafiion — i  hat  the  pope  hath  no  power  to  loofe  and 
bind  :  Neither  any  pope  had  that  power  fince  St.  Pe- 
ter  That  the  pope  is  antichriit,  and  that  every  prieft 

hath  the  power,  that  the  pope  hath — That  Mr.  Pa- 
trick Hamilton  was  a  bifliop — -That  it  is  not  neceilary 
"  to  obtain  any  bulls  from  any  bifliop — That  the  vow 
of  the  pope's  religion  is  a  vow  of  wkkednefs — That 
the  pope's  laws  be  of  no  ftrength — That  all  Chrii- 
tians,  worthy  to  be  called  Chriitians,  do  know  that 
"  they  be  in  a  f tate  of  grace — That  none  be  faved,  but 
44  thofe  that  are  before  predeilinate — YVhofoever  is  in 
44  deadly  fin,  is  unfaithful — -1  hat  God  is  the  caufe  of 
*'  ni\,  in  this  fenie  ;  that  is,  that  he  withdraw eth  his 
u  grace  from  men,  whereby  they  (in — That  it  is  deviliih 
44  doctrine,  to  enjoin  to  any  (inner  actual  penance  for  (in. 
"  — That  thefaid  Mr.  Patrick  Hamilton  himfelf  doubteth 
"  whether  all  children,  departing  incontinent  after  their 
"  baptifm,  are  faved  or  condemned — That  auricular  con- 
"  felfion  is  not  neceifary  to  falvatioii." 

1  hough  thefe  articles  are  inferted   in   their  regifter^i 
'  neverthelefs,'  fays  Mr- Fox,  '  other  learned  men, 
'  communed  and  reafoned  with  him,  do  teftify,  that  thefe 
4  articles  following  were   the  very  articles,   for  which  he 
red.' 
"   1.  man  hath  no  free-will.      2.  A  man  is  only  jufti- 
"  fied  by  faith  in  Ghriil.     3.  A  man,  (o  long  as  he  liveth, 
"  is  not  without  im.     4.  He  is  not   worthy  to  be  called 

"  a 


So  PA  T  R  I  C  K    H  A.MI  L  T  O  N. 

tl  a  Chriftian,  who  believeth  not  that  he  is  in  grace* 
*•  5.  A  good  man  doeth  good  works  :  But  good- works  do 
"  not  make  a  good  man.  6.  An  evil  man  bringeth  forth 
t(  evil  works  :  Evil  works,  being  faithfully  repented,  do 
u  not  make  an  evil  man.  7.  Faith,  hope,  and  charity, 
ei  be  f 0  linked  together,  that  one  of  them  cannot  be  with- 
u  outr  another  in  one  man  in  this  life.'' 

'  And  as  touching  the  other  articles,'  adds  Mr.  Fox, 
4  whereupon  the  doclors  gave  their  judgments,  as  divers 
*  do  report,  he  was  not  accufed  of  them  before  the  arch- 
1  biihop.  Albeit  in  private  difputation  he  affirmed  and 
i  defended  the  moft  of  therm'  That  he  did  not  hold  the 
whole  of  them,  at  leaftas  they  are  expreiTed  in  their  re- 
giller,  may  eallly  be  learnt  from  his  writings,  where  he 
treats  of  the  fame  doctrines,-  and  efpecially  in  his  treatife 
entitled  Patrick's  Places.  A  performance  fo  very  judi- 
cious and  truly  evangelical,  that  it  is  feme  concern  to  us, 
that  we  cannot  oblige  the  reader  with  the  whole  of  if. 

Having  gone  through  the  farce  of  a  trial,  they  pro- 
ceeded to  pronounce  Sentence  upon  him,  which,  becaufe 
it  ihews  his  underftanding,  orthodoxy  and  innocence,  as 
well  as  the  ignorance  and  cruelty  of  the  papiits,  we  wilt 
lay  it  before  the  reader  in  their  own  words* 

His  fentence,  as  it  f  lands  in  the  regider  of  the  arch- 
bilhop's  court,  was  as  follows  : 

1  Christ i  nomine  tnvocato  :  We- James,  by  the  mercy 
'  of  God,  archbifhop  of  Saint  Andrew's,  primate  of  Scot- 
'  land,    with  the   council,  decree,  and  authority  of  the 


moft  reverend  fathers  in  God,  and  lords,  abbots,  doc- 
'"tors  of  theology,  profeffors  of  the  holy  fcripture,  and 

*  matters  of  the  univerfity,  amTting  us  for  the  time,  fit- 

*  ting  in    judgment  within  our  metropolitan  church  of 

*  Saint  Andrew's,  in  the  caufe  of  heretical  pravity^  againft 
*'  Mr.  Patrick  Hamilton,  abbot  or  penfionary  of  Ferme, 
-  being  fummoned  to  appear  before  us,  to  anfwer  to  cer- 
i  tain  articles  affirmed,  taught,  and  preached  by  him,  and 

<  fo 


PATRICK    HAMILTON.  81 

«  fo  appearing  before  ns,  and  accufed,  the  merits  of  the 
'  caule   being  ripely  weighed,  difcufied,   and  underilood 

*  by  faithful  inquifition  made  in  Lent  taft  paft :   We  have 

*  found  the  fame  Mr.  Patrick  Hamilton  many  ways  in- 
4  flamed  with  herefy,  difputing,  holding,  and  maintaining 
'  divers  hcrefies  of  Martin  Luther,  and  his  followers,  re- 
'  pugnant  to  our  faith,  and  which  are  already  condemned 
'  by  general  councils,  and  moft  famous  univerfities  *. 
'  And  he  being  under  the  fame  infamy,  we  decerning  be- 
'  fore  him  to  be  fummoned  and  accufed  upon  the  pre- 
4  miles,  he  of  evil  mind  (as  may  be  prefumed)  pafied   to 

*  other  parts   forth  of  the  realm,  fufpected  and  noted  of 

*  herefy.     And  being  lately  returned,  not  being  admitted, 

*  but  of  his  own  head,  without  licence  or  privilege,  hath 
'  prefumed  to  preach  wicked  herefy. 

*  We  have  found  alfo,  that  he  hath  affirmed,  published 
4  and  taught  divers  opinions  of  Luther,  and  wicked  he- 
'  relies,  after  that  he  was  fummoned  to  appear  before  us, 
4  and  our  council :  "  That  man  hath  no  free-will :  That 
"  man  is  in  iin  fo  long  as  he  liveth :  That  children,  in- 
44  continent  after  their  baptifm,  are  tinners  -j-  :  AllChrii- 
•'  tians,  that  be  worthy  to  be  called -  Chriftians,  do  know 
11  that  they  are  in  grace:  No  man  is  juftiried  by  works, 
11  but  by  faith  only  :  Good  works  make  not  a  good  man, 
1  but  a  good  man  doeth  good  works  :  That  faith, hope, 
"  and  charity,  are  fo  knit,  that  he,  that  hath  the  one, 
"  hath  the  reft,  ^nd  he,  that  wanteth  the  one  of  them, 
'•'  wanteth  the  reft,  &o"  with  divers  other  hereiies  and 
1  deteftable  opinions :  and  hath  per  fitted  fo  obftinate  in 
the  fame,  that  by  no  counfel  nor  perfuafion  he  may  be 
1  drawn  therefrom  to  the  way  of  our  right  faith. 

They  do  not  pretend   fo  much   aa  to  fay  they  were  condemned 
by  the  /captures. 

t   ft  may  be  obferved,  that  theft  articles  do  not  agree  with  thofe 
in  their  regifter. 

*  All 


82  PATRICK    HAMILTON. 

*  All  thefe  premifes  being  confidered,  we,  bavins  God 
'  and  the  integrity  of  our  faith  before  our.  eyes,  and  fol- 

*  lowing  the  counfel  and  advice  of  the  profeiibrs  of  the 
4  holy  fcripture,  men  of  law,  and  others  afiifting  us  for  the 
4  time,  do  pronounce,    determine,   and  declare  the  faid 

Mr.  Patrick  Hamilton,  for  his  affirming,  confefliog,  and 

*  maintaining  of  the  aibrefaid  herefies,  and  his  pertinacity 
(they  being  condemned  already  by   the  church,  general . 

'  councils,  and  molt   famous  umverfities)  to  be  an  here- . 

4  tic,  and    to  have  an    evil    opinion    of   the    faith,    and 

4  therefore  to  be  condemned  and  puniihed,  like  as  we 
condemn,  and  define  him  to  be  punimed,  by  this  our 
fentence  definitive,  depriving  and  fentencing  him  to  be 
deprived  of  all  dignities,  orders,  offices,  and  benefices 
of  the  church  ;  and  therefore   do  judge,  and  pronounce 

4  ■  him  to  be  delivered  over  unto  the  fecular  power,  to  be 

*  puniihed,  and  his  goods  to  be  confiscate. 

'  1  his  our  fentence  definitive  was  given  and  read  at 
4  our  metropolitan  church  of  St.  Andrew's,  the  laftday 
'  of  the  month  of  February,  anno  1527. 

That  this  fentence  might  have  the  greater  authority, 
they  caufed  it  to  be  figned  by  all  prefent,  of  any  account, 
whether  clergy  or  laity  j  and,  in  order  to  make  their  num- 
ber appear  great,  they  took  the  fubfcription  of  the  very 
children  of  the  nobility-  Being  thus  condemned  as  an 
oblfinate  heretic,  he  was  delivered  over  to  the  fecular 
power,  and  after  dinner,  on  the  fame  day,  the  fire  was 
prepared,  and  he  was  led  to  execution ;  whilft  moil  peo- 
ple thought  it  was  only  to  terrify  him,  and  to  make  him 
recant.  But  God,  for  his  own  glory,  the  good  of  the 
elect,  and  for  the  manifeiration  of  their  brutal  tyranny,, 
had  decreed  it  otherv\ife;  and  fo  frrengthened  him,  that 
neither  the  love  of  life,  though  young,  nor  fear  of  this 
cruel  death,  could  in  the  leaft  move  him  from  the  truth 
he  had  boldly  profeiTed- 

Ac 


PATRICK    HAMILTON.  83 

At  the  place  of  execution,  he  gave  his  fervant,  that 
had  long  attended  him,  his  gown,  coat,  cap,  and  his 
other  garments,  laying,  M  Thcie  are  the  lait  things  you 
M  can  receive  of  ine,  nor  have  I  any  thing  now  to  leave 
"  you,  but  the  example  of  my  death,  which  I  pray  you 
"  to  bear  in  mind;  for,  though  it  be  bitter  to  llelh,  and 
11  fearful  before  men,  yet  it  is  the  entrance  into  eternal 
"  life,  which  none  {hall  inherit,  who  deny  Jefus  Chriit 
'*  before  this  wicked  generation."  He  was  then  bound 
to  the  (take  in  the  midit  of  wood  and  coal,  which  they  at- 
tempted to  let  on.  fire  with  gun-powder ;  but  it  neither 
killed  him  nor  kindled  the  fire,  only  exceedingly  fcorch- 
ed  one  fide  of  his  body  and  his  face.  During  the  pain- 
ful interval  of  their  going  to  the  caille  for  more  powder 
and  combuilibles,  the  friars  called  frequently  upon  him  to 
recant ;  and  when  the  fire  was  kindled,  it  burnt  foilowly, 
that  he  endured  o-reat  torment;  which  the  friars  endea- 
vored  to  increafe  by  fettingfome  of  their  own  creatures  to 
cry  out  in  a  clamorous  manner,    s  Turn,   thou  heretic, 

*  pray  to  the  virgin,  fay,  fa  he  regina,  &c'  to  whom  lie 
anfwered,  "  Depart  from  me,  and  trouble  me  rot,  you 
"  mefTengers  of  Satan."  One  friar  Campbell,  who  had 
vifited  him  often  in  prifon,  was  particularly  officious, 
and   continued  to  bellow   out.     '  Turn,    thou   heretic ; 

*  turn,  thou  heretic  ;'  whom  Mr.  Hamilton  thus  addref- 
fed,  "  Wicked  man  !  you  know  I  am  not  a  heretic,  and 
*'  have  confefied  the  fame  to  me  in  private  ;  but  I  appeal 
•*  to  the  juft  tribunal  feat  of  Jefus  Chriit,  and  cite  you  to 
"  appear  there  to  anfwer  for  it  to  almighty  GOD." 
And  then  faid,  "  How  long,  O  Lord,  ihall  darknefs 
"  overwhelm  this  realm  ?  and  how  long  wilt  Thou  differ 
*'  the  tyranny  of  thefe  wicked  men!"  And  at  length 
with  a  loud  voice  he  cried,  as  he  had  frequently  done, 
"  Lord  jefus,  receive  my  ipirit!"  and  died. 

It  is  recorded,  that  friar  Campbell   died  not  long  after 
in   a  phrenfy,  and  ieemingly  in   deipair.     Which,   con- 
sidered 


84  PATRICK    HAMILTON. 

fidered  with  the  circumflance  of  his  being  cited  by  Mr.  Ha- 
milton, made  a  great  impreflion  on  the  minds  of  the  peo- 
ple, and  caufed  them  to  inquire  more  particularly  into  the 
nature  and  meaning  of  the  articles,  for  v/hich  Mr.  Hamil- 
ton was  burnt ;  and  fo  this  event  proved  the  means  of 
many  embracing  the  truth.  Mr-  Knox,  in  his  hiflory  of 
Scotland,  relates  the  amazing  efFecls  of  this  great  man's 
death,  and  how  wonderfully  the  Lord  fpread  abroad  the 
light  of  the  gofpel,  by  a  careful  examination  of  the  arti- 
cles upon  which  he  was  condemned,  and  of  his  writings. 

4  When  thofe  cruel  wolves  had,  as  they  fuppoled, 
4  clean  devoured  the  prey,  they  found  themfelves  in  a 
4  worfe  cafe  than  before;  for  then,  within  St.  Andrew's, 
4  yea,  almoft  within  the  whole  realm,  (who heard  of  that 
4  facl)  there  was  none  found  who  began  not  to  inquire, 
*  wherefore  Mr.  Patrick  Hamilton  was  burnt ;  and  when 
4  his  articles  were  rehearfed,  queftion  was  holden,  if  fnch 
4  articles  were  neceffary  to  be  believed,  under  the  pain  of 
4  damnation  ?  And  fo,  within  a  fhort  fpace,  many  began 
<  to  call  in  doubt,  that  which  before  they  held  for  a.  certain 
4  verity  ;  infomuch  that  the  univerfity  of  St.  Andrew's 
4  and  St.  Leonard's  college,  principally  by  the  labours  of 
4  Mr.  Gavin  Logy,  the  novices  of  the  abbey,  and  the 
4  fuperior,  began  to  fmell  fomewhat  of  the  verity,  and  to 
4  efpy  the  vanity  of  the  received  fuperftition :  yea,  within 
4  few  years  after,  began  both  black  and  grey  friars  pub- 
4  lickly  to  preach  againft  the  pride  and  idle  life  of  bimops, 
4  and  agakift  the  abufes  of  the  whole  ecclefiaftical  fiate. 
'  Amongit  whom  was  one  called  William  Arithe,  who, 
'  in  a  fermon  preached  in  Dundee,  fpake  fomewhat  more 
'  freely  again  ft  the  licentious  life  of  the  bimops,  than 
'  they  could  well  bear.  The  bifhop  of  Be  renin  having 
'  his  parafites  in  the  town,  buffeted  the  friar,  and  called 
'  him  heretic.  The  friar  pafFed  to  St.  Andrew's,  and  did 
communicate  the  heads  of  his  fermon  to  Mr.  John  Mair, 
\   whofe  word  then  was  held  as  an  ©racle,  in  matters  of 

4  religion  ; 


PATRICK   HAMILTON.  85 

'  religion;  and  be  amired  of  him,  that  fnch  doctrine 
'  might  well  be  defended,  and  that  he  would  defend  it, 
'  for  it  contained  no  herei'y  ;   there  was  a  day  appointed  to 

*  the  laid  friar,  to  make  repetition  of  the  lame  fermon  ; 
and  adverti fement  was  given  to  all  inch,  as  were  of- 
fended at  the  former,  to  be  pre  lent.  And  lb,  in  the 
parilh  church  of  St.  Andrew's,  upon  the  day  appointed, 
appeareil  the  faid  friar,  and  had,  am  on  git  his  auditors, 
Mr.    ]ohn  Mair,  Mr.  George  Lockhart,   the   abbot  of 

f  Cambuikeneth,  Mr.  Patrick  Hepburn,  prior  ol  St.  An- 

'  drew's,  with  all  the  doctors  and  mailers  of  the    univcr- 

\  Cities.     Shortly  after  this,  new  confutation  was  taken, 

*  there,  that  fome  ihould  be  burnt  ;  for  men  begin  freely 

*  to  fpeak.  A  merry  gentlemen,  called  John  Lindfay,  fa- 
1  miliar  to  archbi:hop  Beaton,  (landing  by,  when  conful- 
?  tation  was  had,  laid,  "  My  lord,  if  ye  burn  any  more, 
"  except  ye  follow  my  counfel,  ye  will  utterly  deiiroy 
"  vourielres  ;  if  you  will  burn  them,  let  them  be  burnt 
<b'  in  hollow  cellars ;  for  the  fmokeofMr.  Patrick  Hamil- 
"  ton  hath  infected  as  many  as  it  blew  upon." 

The  rulers  and  doctors  of  the  univeriity  of  Lou  vain, 
hearing  that  the  bimops  and  doctors  of  Scotland  had  con- 
demned and  burnt  this  great  and  good  man,  exceedingly 
rejoiced  and  triumphed  :  and  in  a  letter  written  to  the 
archbilhop  of  St.  Andrew's  and  the  other  doctors,  they 
'  highly  applaud  the  worthy  and  famous  defervings  of 
f  their  atchieved  enterprise  in  that  behalf.'  Which  let- 
ter Fox  has  given  at  large. 

We  may  here  obferve,  that  the  church  of  Rome,  from 
the  very  beginning  of  her  claiming  temporal  authority, 
worldly  riches,  and  earthly  government,  has  more  and 
more  departed  from  the  purity  of  the  gofpel,  has  imbibed 
a  bloody  and  perfecating  fpirit  againft  all  opponents, 
and  at  length  has  placed  itfelf  entirely  upon  a  footing  with 
the  princes  and  kingdoms  of  this  world,  which  come  to 
nought.  The  love  of  temporal  dominion  and  authority 
H  in 


U  PATRICK  HAMILTON. 

in  the  church,  in  which  the  paflions  of  carnal  men  can  be 
as  fully  fatisfied  as  in  any  other  fyjftem  of  human  polity, 
has  been  the  chief  ground,  of  difTention,  error,  and  perse- 
cution. Nor  is  this  love  of  rule  to  be  confined  to  the 
church  of  Rome ;  the  fmalleil  Cect  and  party,  acting  upon 
ihefame  principles,  and  founded  upon  the  bottom  of  hu- 
man aims  and  human  authority,  either  exerciiing  domi- 
nion or  defpifing  dominion  from  worldly  motives,  is  guilty 
of  the  fame  fpirit,  and  w  ould  exerciie  the  fame  condud, 
but  for  the  prevention  of  fuperior  force.  While  men  ad 
from  the  world,  their  end  will  be  the  world;  be  their  out- 
ward profefiions  what  they  may.  Thefe  profeflions,  in 
no  fenfe,  make  a  Chriftian,  whofe  definition  it  is,  to  be 
crucified  to  the  world  and  to  the  flefli.,  to  put  -on  Chrift, 
and  to  be  one  with  him,  and  to  be  a  {jr anger  and  pilgrim 
upon  earth,  feeking  a  better  country  and  a  heavenly. 

In  the  interval  between  this  holy  man's  death,  and  the 
public  miniitrations  of  the  excellent  Mr.  George  Wifhart; 
Jeveral  perfons  fuffered  for  the  truth  in  Scotland,  and, 
among  the  reft,  Mr.  John  Rogers,  a  gracious  and  learned 
•minifter,  who  was  murdered  in  prifon,  by  the  order  of 
cardinal  Beaton,  and  thrown  over  the  wall,  with  a  report, 
that  in  attempting  to  efcape  he  had  broken  his  neck.  Mr. 
Thomas  Forreft,  another  miniiier,  was  alfo  burned,  for  an 
heretic,  by  the  means  of  the  popiili  biihop  of  Dunkelden. 
By  the  writings  and  fermons  of  thefe  bleffed  men,  a  feed 
of  reformation,  was  fown  in  Scotland,  which,  being  watered 
and  witnefled  by  their  blood,  foon  fprung  up  into  a  flour- 
ishing tree,   and  glorioully  overfpread  that  whole  country. 

WE  promifed  to  give  our  readers  a  fpecimen  of  this 
excellent  man's  trad",  called  Patrick's  Places,  which  haye 
ever  beenefleemed  by  the  moll  able  and  ferious  Chriftians 
(especially  confidering  the  time  when  they  were  written) 
^as  an  admirable  and  invaluable  performance. 

The  following  are  extrads  from  the  treatife. 

'      the 


PATRICK    HAMILTON.  8/ 

The  doclrine  of  the  Law. 

Proposition* 
"  He  that  keepeth  not  all  the  commandments  of  God, 
u  keepeth  not  one  of  them. 

Argument. 
"  He  that  keepeth  one  cor  >nf  of  God,  keepeth  all, 

"  Ergo,  he  that  keepeth  not  all  the  commandments  0fGod, 
u  keepeth  not  one  of  them. 

Prepojrtton. 
"  It  is  not  in  our  power 'to  keep  any  one  of  die  com- 
M  mandments  of  God. 

Argument'. 
"  //  is  tmpoffibtit  to  keep  any  of 'the  commandments of Xhfr 

"  'without  grace v 

"  //  is  not  in  our  power  to  have  grace. 

«  Ergo;  it  is  not  in  our  power  to  keep  a?iy  of  the  com* 
"  mandments  of  Cod* 

«  And  even  fo  may  you  reafon  concerning  the  Holy 
"  Ghoft  and  faith,  forafmuch  as  neither  without  them 
"  we  are  able  to  keep  any  of  the  commandments  of  God^ 
"  neither  yet  be  they  in  our  power  t  have.  Non  ejt 
"  volenti s  ne que  cur rtntis,  6c.  Rom.ix.  16. 
Proportion. 
[  The  law  was  given  us  to  mew  our  fm. 

"  By  the  lawcomeih  the  knowledge  of  Jin;  Rom.  iii.  20. 

"  I  knew  not   what  fin  meant,  but  through  the  law  : 

For  I  had  not  known  what  luft  had  meant,  except  the  law 
^  "ffaid  Thoujhalt  not  luji.  Without  the  law ,  fin  was 
^  dead,  that  is,  it  moved  me  not,  neither  wift  I  that  it  was 

Jin,  which  notwithftarcding  was  Jm,  and  forbidden  by  the 

law.  Rom.  vii. 

Propoftion. 

it  r\  ,    r    law  biddeth  us  do  that  d«ng>  which  is  impof- 
"  lible  for  us.  r 

a  .  i  .  Argument. 

The  keeping  of  the  commandments  is  to  us  impofpble. 

■    "  The 


(( 
u 

<< 


88  PATRICK    HAMILTON. 

*  The  law  commandeth  to  us  the  keeping  of  the  command- 
"  me Kt s. 

"  Ergo  ;  the  iaw  commandeth  unto  us  what  Is  tmfoffible. 

"  CbjeWott.  But  you  will  fay,  Wherefore  doth  God 
H  bid  us  do  chat,  which  is  impofiible  for  us  ? 

Anfwer.     To  make  thee  know,  that  thou   art  but 

evil,  and  that  there  is  no  remedy  to  fave  thee  in  thine 

own  hand :  And  that  thou  may  eft  feek  a  remedy  at 
il  fome  other:  For  the  law  doth  nothing  elfe,  but  con- 
"  demn  thee. 

The  doctrine  of  the  Gospel. 

44  The  gospel  is,  in  other  words,  good  tidings*  ;  and 
44  may  be  exprefTed  in  the  following  manner: 

"  Chrift  is  the  Saviour  of  the  [eled]  world1.  Chrift 
ri  is  the  Saviours.  Chrift  died  for  us3.  Chrift  died  for  our 
44  fms-i.  Chrift  bought  us  with  his  blcodf.  Chrift  wafh- 
<;  ed  us  with  his  blood6.  Chrift  offered  himfelf  for  us7. 
'■'  Chrift  bare  our  fins  on  his  own  backs.  Chrift  came 
M  into  this  world  to  fave  finncrs9.  Chrift  came  into  this 
'*  world  to  take  away  our  fmsJ°.  Chrift  was  the  price 
44  that  was  givt  .for  us  and  our  fins*1.  Chrift  was  made 
44  debtor  for  ttt  v  Chrift  Hath  payed  our  debt,  for  he 
44  died  for  us«f.  Chrift  made  fatisfacHon  for  us  and  our 
44  finsH.  Chrift  is  our  righteoufnefs*5.  Chrift  is  pur. 
"  fanctificationio.  Chrift  is  our  redemption '7.  Chrift  is 
"  our  peacets.  Chrift  hath  pacified  the  Father  of  heaven 
44  for  usig.  Chrift  is  ours,  and  all  his  o.  Chrift  hath 
u  delivered  us  from  the  law,  from  the  devil,  and  from 
44  helb-i.  The  Father  of  heaven  hath  forgiven  us  our 
*'  fins  for  Chriit's  fake.     And  many    other  fimilar  ex- 


*  Luke  il. 

1.  John  iv\  2   Luke  it.         5  Rom.  v.  4  Ibid.  iv.      5  f  P-.t-  ii. 

6  Rev.  i.  v.  7   Gil.  i.          8  ifa.  iiii.  9  I  Tim.  1.      10  r  John  iii, 

II   1  Tim.  ii.  12   Horn,  viii-    1  3  Col.  ii-  14  1  Cor.   vii.    15   1  Cor.  i. 

16    1  Cor.  i.  17  Eph.  ii.      18  Rom.  v-  »9    1  Cor.  iii.       23  Col.  iii, 


21    John  i. 


preflior 


PATRICK   HAMILTON.  S9 

"  preffions,  equally  fcriptural,  which  declare  unto  us  the 
u  mercy  of  God. 

"  The  nalwc  and  office  of  the  Law  and  of  the  Gospel. 


41  The  law  flieweth  us  our  fin.     Rom.  iii. 
u  The  goipel  iheweth  us  a  remedy  for  it.  John  i. 
u    The  law  iheweth  us  our  condemnation.    Rom.  vii. 
4<   The  gofpeUhewcth  us  our  redemption.    Col.  i. 
"   The  law  is  the  word  of  ire  [wrath]    Rom.  iy. 
"   The  goipel  is  the  word  of  grace.     Ac~ts  xiv.  2c 
1    i  he  law  is  the  word  of  deipair.    Deut.  xxvii. 

The  goipel  is  the  word  of  comfort.     Luke  ii. 

The  law  is  the  word  of  difquietude.    Rom.  vii. 

The  gofpel  Is  the  word  of  peace.     Eph.  vi. 

A  difputation  between  the  Law"  and  the  Gospel,  in  -which 
is /hewed  the  dijference  or  contrariety  between  them  both* 


** 


"  The  law-faith,  Pay  the  debt. 

u  The  gofpel  faith,  '  Chrift  hath  paid  it. 

"  The  law  faith,  Thou  art  a  firmer ,  defter,  and  thou  fh alt 

u  he  damned. 
t:  'I  he  gofpel  faith,  Thy  ftns  are p-given  thee  ;  be  of  good 

"  comfort,  fir  thou  J 'ka It  be  fa\ 
-  he  law  faiths  Make  an.  nds  as. 

"  'i  he  goipel  faith,  Ch  rift  hath  made  it  far  thee.      . 
'*  The  law  faith,  The  Father  in  heaven  is  angrv  with  thee. 
"  The  gofpel  faith,  Chrift  hath  pacifed  him  with  his  blood. 
"  The  law  lakh,  Where  is  thy  righteoufnefs^goodnefs,  and 

"  fnthfaclicm? 
"  The  ^v.pel  fuith,  drift  is  thy  right eoufnefs,  goodnefs, 

' '  and  futisf action. 
««   The  law  faith,  Thou  a;-4  bound* and  obliged  to  me,  to  the 

"  civil,  and  to  hell. 
"  The  goipel  faith,  Chrift  hath  delivered  thee  fr^i  them  all 
H  2  «  A 


90  PATRICK    HA  M ILTON. 

•  "  A  comparifon  bet-ween  Faith  and  Unbelief* 

«•  Faith  is  the  root  of  all  good. 

•<    Unbelief  is  the  root  of  all  evil. 

•'  Faith  maketh  God  and  man  good  friends. 

'.'  Unbelief  maketh  them  foes. 

'<  Faith  bringeth  God  and  man  together. 

*(  Unbelief  feparates  them. 

*t  All  that  faith  doeth,  pleafeth  God. 

**  All  that  unbelief  doeth  difpleafeth  God. 

«<  Faith  only  maketh  a  man  good  and  righteous* 

-<  Unbelief  maketh  him  unjuit  and  evil. 

««  Faith  maketh  a  man  a  member  of  Chrifr. 

'-  Unbelief  maketh  him  a  member  of  the  devil.    - 

*«  Faith  maketh  him  an  inheritor  of  heaven. 

,(  Unbelief  maketh  a  man  an  inheritor  of  hell. 

*<  Faith  maketh  a  man  a  fervant  of  God. 

*<  Unbelief  maketh  him  the  fervant  of  the  devil. 

"  Faith  flieweth  ns  God  to  be  a  tender  Father* 

u  Unbelief  flieweth  him  to  be  a  terrible  judge. 

i(  Faith  holdeth  hQ:  by  the  word  of  God. 

"  Unbelief  wavereth  here  and  there. 

"  Faith  eiteemeth  God  to  be  true. 

"  Unbelief  looketh  upon  him  to  be  falfe  and  a  liar* 

"  Faith  knoweth  God. 

"  Unbelief  knoweth  him  not. 

*'  Faith  loveth  both  God  and  his  neighbour. 

'.'  Unbelief  loveth  neither  of  them. 

"  Faith  only  faveth  us. 

(i  Unbelief  only  condemneth  us. 

iC  A  comparifon  between  Faith,  Hope?  and  Charity. 

ih  Faith  cometh  of  the  word  of  God  ;  hope  cometh  of 
u  faith  ;  and  charity  fpringeth  of  them  both. 

•'  Faith  believcth  the  word ;  hope  trufteth  to  enjoy  that, 

'**  which 


PATRICK   HAMILTO  N.  91 

«•'  which  is  promifedin  the  word  ;  charity  doeth  good  Dft- 
lS  to  her  neighbour,  through  the  love  that  it  hath  to  God, 
"  and  gladnefs  that  is  within  herfelf. 

"  Faith  looketh  to  God  and  his  word  ;  hope  looketh 
u  unto  his  gift  and  reward ;  charity  looketh  on  her  neigh* 
"  hour's  profit. 

"  Faith  receiveth  God ;  hope  receiveth  his  reward  ; 
"  charity  loveth  her  neighbour  with  a  glad  heart,  and 
"  that  without  any  refpect  of  reward. 

"  Faith  pertaineth  to  God  only;  hope  to  his  reward, 
•'   and  charity  to  her  neighbour." 

This  little  treatife  of  Mr.  Hamilton's  (continues  his 
editor  Mr.  John  Frith,  the  martyr)  though  fliort,  is  very 
comprehensive,  containing  matter  fufficient  for  feveral 
volumes;  and  mews  us  the  true  doctrine  of  the  law,  of 
the  gofpel,  of  faith  and  of  works,  with  their  nature, 
properties,  and  difference.  Which  difference  is  thus  to  be 
understood,  that  in  the  article  of  falvation,  and  in  the 
oflice  of  j unifying,  they  are  diftinct  and  to  be  kept  afun- 
der,  the  law  from  the  gofpel,  and  faith  from  vvor 
Though  in  the  perfon  that  is  juilified,  and  alio  in  the 
order  of  doctrine,  they  ought  and  do  go  neceilarily  to- 
gether. 

Therefore,  wherefoever  any  queftion  or  doubt  arifeth 
refpecting  falvation,  or  our  juflifkation  before  God,  there 
the  law  and  all  good  works  rnufl  be  utterly  excluded,  that 
grace  may  appear  to  be  fovereign,  the  promife  free  and 
gratuitous,  and  that  faith  may  ftand  alone ;  which  faith 
alone,  without  law  or  works,  confirms  to  every  believer 
his  own  particular  falvation.  For  as,  the  grace  of  God 
is  the  efficient  caufe,  and  Jefus  Chrifh  the  meritorious 
caufe,  of  our  redemption  ;  fo  faith  is  the  inftrumental  caufe 
by  which  the  believer  applieththe  merits  of  Chrifl  particu- 
larly to  his  own  falvation.  So  that,  in  the  aft  and  office 
of  juitification,  both  law  and  works  are  entirely  out 
of  the  queftion,   as  things  that  have  nothing  to  do  in  the 

matter. 


92  PA  T  R  I  C  K  H  A  M  ILTuN, 

matter.  The  reafori  is  this,  that  all  our  falvation  js  by 
Chrift  alone,  fo  nothing  can  favingly  profit  us,  but  that 
with  which  we  can  apprehend  Chrift.  Now,  as  neither 
the  law  nor  works,  but  faith  alone  is  that  by  which  we 
can  apprehend  Chrift  as  an  almighty  and  all-fufficient 
Saviour,  fo  faith  alone  juftiiieth  the  (inner  before  Go(], 
through  the  object  it  doxh  apprehend ;  namely,  Jefus 
Chrift.  For  the  only  object  of  our  faith  is  Chrift,  juit  as 
the  brazen  ierpent,  lifted  up  in  the  wildernefs,  was  the 
object  only  of  the  eyes  of  the  Israelites  looking,  and  not 
of  their  hands  working;  by  virtue  of  which,  through  the 
promife  of  God,  immediately  proceeded  health  to  the  be- 
holders :  So  Chrift,  being  the  object  of  our  faith,  becomes 
rightcouihefs  and  falvation  to  our  fouls,  not  by  works, 
but  by  faith  only. 

Thus  we  fee  how  faith,  being  the  only  eve  of  our  foul, 
flandeth  alone  in  apprehending  or  feeing  Chrift  for  jufti- 
fication  to  life;  but  yet,  neverthelefs;  in  the  body  it 
ixandeth  not  alone:  For  befides  the  eye,  there  are  alio 
hands  to  work,  feet  to  walk,  ears  to  hear,  and  other 
members,  every  one  convenient  for  the  fervice  of  the 
body  ;  and  yet  of  them  all,  the  eye  only  can  fee.  So  in  a 
Christian  maifs  life,  and  in  order  of  doctrine,  there  is  the 
law,  repentance,  hope,  charity,  and  the  deeds  of  charity  ; 
all  which  in  life  and  in  doctrine  are  joined,  and  neceila- 
rily  do  Concur  together,  and  yet  in  the  act  of  jollification 
there  is  nothing  elie  in  man,  that  hath  any  part  or  place 
but  faith  alone  apprehending  the  object,  which  is  Chriit 
crucified,  in  whom  is  all  the  worthinefs  andfulnefs  of  our 
falvation  ;  that  is,  by  our  apprehending  and  receiving  of 
him  by  faith,  as  it  is   written,  Wbofoever  re<\  .  H 

them  gave  he  power  to  become  the  fins  of  God,  even  to  X 
that  believe  on  his  name  :  Which  -were  born,  not  of  blood,  mr 
of  the  will  of  the  flejh7  nor  of  the  will  of  man,  but  of  Cod*. 

*  John  i.   12,  [3. 

And 


PATRICK    HAMILTON.  93 

And  alfo  in  Ifaiahf, — By  his  knowledge,  flail  my  righteous 
Servant  jnjlify  many  ;   <bc 

Argument. 
**  Apprehending  and  receiving  of  Chriit  only  m.nketh  us 

"   juftiiied  before  God.     John  i. 
u  Chriit.  only  is  apprehended  and  received  by  faith. 
**  Ergo  ;  faith  only  maketh  us  juftified  before  God. 

Argument. 
u  Juftihcation  cometh  only  by  apprehending  and  receiving 

"  of  Chriil.      Ifa.  Irii. 
"  The  law  and  works    do  nothing  pertain,  to  the  appre- 

"  hending  of  Chrift. 
f1  Ergo  j  the  law  and  works  pertain  nothing  to  j unification. 

Argument. 
u  Nothing,  which  is  unjuft  of  itfelf,  can  juftify  us  before 

"  God,  or  help  any  thing  to  our  juilifying. 
u  Every  work  we  do  is  unjuft  before  God.  Ifa.  lxiv. 
"  Ergo;  no  work,  that  we  can  do,  can  juftify  us  before 

"  God,  nor  help  any  thing  to  our  juftify ing. 
Argument. 
4t  If  works  could  any  thing  further  our  justification,  then 

"  ihould  our  works  fomething  profit  us  before  God. 
*c  No    works,   do  the  belt  we   can,  do  profit  us  before 

"  God.     Luke  xvii.     John  xv. 

Ergo  ;  no  works,  that  we  do,  can  any  thing  further 


"   1 

<< 


Argument* 
"  All  that  we  can  do  with  God,  is  only  by  Chriit.  Johnxv. 
"  Our  works  and  merits  be  not  Chriit,  neither  any  part 

"  of  him. 
'  Ergo  ;  our  works  and  merits  can  do  nothing  with  God. 
Argument. 
That  which  is  the   caufe  of  condemnation,  cannot   be 
«  the  caufe  of  j  unification. 

I  he  law  is  the  caufe  of  condemnation.     Rom.  iv. 
Ergo  ;  it  is  not  the  caufe  of  justification* 

t  Chap.   liii.    13.  "   A 


94  PATRICK    HAMILTON. 

A  confequent* 

u  We  are  quit  and  delivered  from  the  law.  "Rom.  vii- 

"  Ergo  ;  we  are  not  quit  and  delivered  by  the  law. 

"  For  as  much,  therefore,  as  the  truth  of  the  fcripture, 
u  in  exprefs  words,  hath  thus  included  our  falvation  in 
"  fait-h  only ;  we  are  inforced  necefTarily  to  exclude  all 
"  other  caufes  and  means  in  cur  juftincation,  and  to 
"  make  this  difference  between  the  law  and  the  gofpel, 
"  between  faith  and  works ;  affirming,  with  fcripture, 
"  that  the  la  eth  us,  cur  works  do  not  avail  us, 

"  and  Hily  juftifieth  us.     And   this 

'•  •.-  to  be  k 

I  of  all  Christians,   i  .:cs  cf 

u  confcience  between  the  law  and  gofpel,  between  faith. 
"  and  works,  grace  and  merits,  promife  and  condition, 
11  God's  free  elect'on  and  man's  free-will:  So  that  the 
"  light  of  the  free  grace  of  God  in  our  falvation  mav  ao- 
"  pear  to  all  consciences,  to  the  immortal  glory  of  God's 

holy  name.     Amen* 


<; 


W  c  r  k  s .    r         Condition. 
Merits.    ?•    Man's  free-will. 


"  The  order  and  difference  of  f  laces, 
C      Faith.      C      Promife-- 
"  The  Gospel.    <  <      God's  free 

C       Grace.       £        election. 

^,      T  f       Works,    r 

lhe  Law.       -<       »-    .       -< 

I      Merits.    £ 

"  The    difference  and  repugnance    of  theie  forefaid 

u  places  being  well  noted  and  expended,  it  mail  give  no 

u  fmall  light  to  every   faithful  Christian ,  both  to  under- 

d  the   fcriptures,  to  judge  in  cafes   of  confcience, 

u  and  to  reconcile  fuch  places  in  the  Old  and  NewTefta- 

"  ment,  as  feem  to   contradict   each  other,  according  to 

"  St.  Auguftine's  rule,  which    is,  Diftmgue  tt 

its  fcripttiraSy  &C.      '  Make  diiiinction  of  times, 

u  and  thou  ihalt   reconcile   the  fcriptures,  kc9     On  the 

"  other  hau  here  men  are  not  perfectly  instructed  in 

"  thefe 


PATRICK    HAMILTON.  95 

M  thefe  places,  to  difcern  between  the  law  and  the  gofpel, 
u  between  faith  and  works,  &c  :  So  long  they  can  never 
"  rightly  eitabliih  their  minds  in  the  tree  promifes  of 
"  God's  grace;  but  walk  confidently  without  order,  in 
"  all  matters  of  religion.  Example  of  which  we  have 
u  too  much  in  the  Romiih  church,  who  confounding  thefe 
"  places  together  witho  it  diitinction,  following  no  me- 
"  thod,  have  perverted  the  true  order  of  Chriilian  doc- 
u  trine,  and  have  obfaired  the  iweet  comfort  and  benefit 
"  of  the  gofpel  of  Chriit,  not  knowing  the  true  ufe either 
"  of  the  law  or  gofpel. 
u.In  the  doctrine  of  the  Law  three  things  are  to  he  noted. 

"  In  the  law,  three  things  are  to  be  confidered.  Firft, 
"  what  is  the  true  vigour  and  Itrength  of  the  law,  which 
"  is,  to  require  full  and  perfect  obedience  of  the  whole 
"  man,  not  only  to  reilrain  his  outward  actions,  but  alfo 
"  his  inward  motions,  and  inclinations  of  will  and  af- 
"  fection  from  the  appetite  of  (in.  And  therefore  faith 
tl  St,  Paul,  The  law  is  fpiritnal,  but  1  am  carnal,  6c, 
"  Rom. .  vii-  Whereupon  rifeth  this  proportion,  That 
"  it  isin  not  our  nature  and  powerto  fulfil  thelaw.  Item; 
"  The  law  commandeth  that  which  is  to  us  inipoiTible,  &c. 

"  The  fecond  thing  to  be  noted  in  the  doctrine  of  the 
"  law,  is,  to  confuler  the  time  and  place  of  the  law,  what 
"  they  be,  and  how  far  they  extend.  For  as  the  forging 
"  feashave  their  banks  and  bars  to  keep  them  in  ;  fo  the 
il  law  hath  its  times  and  limits,  which  it  ought  not  to 
11  pafs.  If  Chrift  had  not  come  and  fuffered,  the  time  and 
cc  dominion  of  the  law  had  been  everlailing.  But  now 
"  feeing  Chriii  hath  come,  and  hath  died  in  his  righteous 
€<  fleih  ;  the  power  of  the  law  againft  our  liaful  flefh  doth 
i{  ceafe.  For  the  end  of  the  law  is  Chrift.  Rom.  x.  that 
"  is,  the  death  of  Chrifc's  body  is  the  death  of  the  law  to 
11  all  that  believe  in  him  :  So  that  whoibever  repent  of 
"  their  lins,  and  flee  to  the  death  and  painon  of  Chrift  ; 
"  the  condemnation  and  time  of  the  law  to  them  is  expi- 

"  red. 


96  PATRICK    HAMILTON. 

l{  red.  Wherefore,  this  is  to  be  understood  as  a  perpe- 
"  tualrule  in  the  fcripture,  that  the  law,  with  all  his  fen- 
"  tenees  and  judgments,  wherefoever  they  are  written, 
<l  either  in  the  Old  or  New  Teftament,  do  ever  include 
"  a  privy  exception  of  repentance  and  faith  in  Chrift,  to 
"  the  which  always  it  giveth  place,  having  there  his  end, 
"  and  can  proceed  no  further  ;  according  as  St.  Paul  faith, 
il  The  law  is  our  fcboolftoafler  until  Chrift 9  that  we  might  be 

"  IVioreover,  as  the  law  hath  its  time,  how  long  to 
"  reign,  fo  alfo  it  hath  his  proper  place,  where  to  reign. 
"  By  the  reign  of  the  law  here  is  meant  the  condemnation 
"  of  the  law  :  For  as  the  time  of  the  law  ceafeth,  when 
<(  the  faith  of  Chrift  in  a  true  repenting  heart  beginneth  ; 
"  fo  hath  the  law  no  place  in  fuch,  as  be  good  and 
a  faithful;  that  is,  in  Tinners  repenting  and  amending, 
i(  but  only  in  them  which  be  evil  and  wicked*  Evil  men 
"  are  fuch,  as  walking  in  fmfuJ  flem  are  not  yet  driven 
"  by  earned  repentance  to  flee  to  Chriit  for  fuccour. 
And  therefore  faith  St.  Paul,  The  law  is  not  made  for  a 
righteous  wan,  but  for  the  lawlefs  and  dij obedient,  for 
the  ungodly  and  fir  fnners,  <6c-\.  By  the  jull  man 
here  is  meant,  not  he  which  never  had  difeafe,  but  he, 
who  knowing  his  difeafe,  feeketh  out  the  phyfician, 
"  and  being  cured,  keepeth  himfelf  in  health,  as  much  as 
"  he  may,  from  any  more  forfeits.  Notwithstanding, 
"  he  fLall  never  fo  keep  himfelf,  but  that  his  health  (that 
"  is,  his  new  obedience)  mall  always  remain  frail  and 
"  imperfect,  and  (hall  continually  need  the  phyfician. 
"  Where,  by  the  way,  thele  three  things  are  to  be  noted  ; 
"  Firit,  the  ficknefs  itfelf :  Secondly,  the  knowing  of  the 
"  ficknefs:  Thirdly,  the  phyfician.  The  ficknefs  is  fin. 
"  The  knowing  of  the  ficknefs  is  repentance,  which  the 
"  law  vorketh.  The  phyfician  is  Chriit.  And  there- 
u  fore  although  in  revuiiiion  of  our  fins  repentance  is  join- 

*  Gal.  iii..24-  +  2  Tim.  i.   ?. 

"  ed 


PATRICK    HAMILTON.  97 

*'  ed  with  faith,  yet  it  is  not  the  dignity  or  worthinefs  of 
"  repentance  that  caufeth  remifTion  of  fins,  but  only  the 
"  worthinefs  of  Chrift,  whom  faith  only  apprehendeth  ; 
"  no  more  than  the  feeling  of  the  difeafe  is  the  caufe  of 
"  health,  but  only  the  phyiician.  For  elfe,  when  a  man 
11  is  call  and  condemned  by  the  law,  it  is  not  repentance 
"  that  can  fave  or  deierve  life  ;  but  if  his  pardon  come, 
V  then  is  it  the  grace  of  the  prince,  and  not  his  repent- 
"  ance  that  faveth- 

u  The  third  point  to  be  confidered  in  the  doctrine  of 
a  the  law,  is  this,  that  we  mark  well  the  end  andpurpofe 
n  why  the  law  is  given,  which  is  not  to  bring  us  to  fal- 
it  vation,  nor  to  work  God's  favour,  nor  to  make  us 
it  good  :  But  rather  to  declare  and  convict  our  wicked - 
U  nels,  and  to  make  us  feel  the  danger  thereof,  to  this 
n  end  and  purpofe,  that  we,  feeing  our  condemnation, 
tt  and  being  in  ourfelves  confounded,  may  be  driven 
a  thereby  to  have  our  refuge  in  Chrift  the  Son  of  God, 
a  and  fubmit  ourfelves  to  him,  in  whom  only  is  to  be 
*t  found  our  remedy,  and  in  none  other.  And  this  end 
<<  of  the  law  ought  to  be  ferioufiy  confidered  by  all  Chrif- 
u  tians :  That  they  do  not  fall  into  manifold  errors  and 
<(  inconveniences.  1.  They  pervert  all  order  of  doc- 
*t  trine.  2.  They  feek  that  in  the  law,  which  the  law 
t*  cannot  give.  3.  They  are  not  able  to  comfort  them- 
«  felves  nor  any  other.  4.  They  keep  men's  fouls  in  an 
*<  uncertain  doubt  of  their  falvation.  5*  They  obfcure 
««  the  light  of  God's  grace.  6.  They  are  unkind  to 
"  God's  benefits.  7.  They  are  injurious  to  Chrift's  paf- 
«'  Gon,  and  enemies  to  his  crofs.  8.  They  flop  Chrif- 
*'  tians  liberty.  9.  They  bereave  the  church,  the  fpoufe 
'*  of  Chriit,  of  her  due  comfort,  as  taking  away  the  fun 
"  out  of  the  world.  10.  In  all  their  doings,  they  {hoot 
"  at  a  wrong  mark  :  For  where  Chriit  only  is  to  be  fet 
11  v^p  to  be  apprehended  by  our  faith,  and  fo  freely  to  juf- 

I  "  tify 


98  PATRICK    HAMILTON. 

««  tify  us;  they,  leaving  this  justification  by  faith,  fet  up 
"  other  marks,  partly  by  the  law,  partly  of  their  own 
*'  deviling,  for  men  to  moot  at.  And  here  cometh  m 
"  the  manifeft  and  manifold  abfurdities  of  the  biihop  of 
"  Rome's  doctrine,  which  (the  Lord  willing)  we  will  re- 
"  hearie,  as  in  a  catalogue  here  following.'7 

Errors  and  abfurdities  of  the  Papifvs,  touching  the  doctrine  of 
the  Law  and  of  the  Gospel. 

"   i.  They  erroneously  conceive  an  opinion  of  falva- 
.-/*  tion  in  the  law,  which  only  is  to  be  fought  in  the  faith 
ct  of  Chrift,  and  in  no  other. 

"  They  erroneoufly  feek  God's  favour  by  works  of 
"  the  law  :  Not  knowing  that  the  law,  in  this  our  cor- 
"  rupt  nature,  worketh  only  the  anger  of  God.  Rom.  iii. 

"  3.  They  err  alio  in  this,  that  where  the  office  of  the 
**  law  is  diverfe  and  contrary  from  the  gofpel,  they, 
-"  without  any  difference,  confound  the  one  with  the 
61  other,  making  the  gofpel  to  be  a  law,  and  Chrift  to  be 
"   a  Mofes. 

i(  4.  They  err  in  dividing  the  law  unfkilfully  into 
"  three  parts,  into  the  law-natural,  the  law-moral,  and 
"  the  law-evangelical. 

"  5.  Tiiey  err  again  in  dividing  the  law- evangelical 
"  into  precepts  and  counfels,  making  the  precepts  to 
ei  ferve  for  all  men,  the  counfels  only  to  ferve  for  them 
"  that  be  perfect. 

"  6.  The  chief  fubftance  of  all  their  teaching  and 
"  preaching  refieth  upon  the  works  of  the  law  ;  as  ap- 
'*  pears  by  their  religion,  which  wholly  confifteth  in 
'*  men's  merits,  traditions,  laws,  canons,  decrees,  and 
"  ceremonies. 

"  7.  In  the  doctrine  of  falvation,  of  remiffion,  and 
S*  justification,  either  they  admit  the    law  equally  with 

"  the 


PATRICK    HAMILTON.  99 

"  the  gofpel,  or  elfe,  clean  fccluding  the  gofpel,  they 
u  teach  and  preach  the  law  ;  fo  that  lLtle  mention  is 
u  made  of  the  faith  of  Chrift,  or  none  at  all. 

11  8.  They  err  in  thinking,  that  the  law  of  God  re- 
"  quireth  nothing  in  us  under  pain  of  damnation,  but 
"  only  our  obedience  in  external  actions  :  As  for  the  in- 
M  ward  affections  and  concupifcence,  they  efteem  but 
u  light  matters. 

«'  p.  They,  not  knowing  the  true  nature  and  ftrength 
u  of  the  law,  do  erroneouily  imagine  that  it  is  in  man's 
"  power  to  fulfil  it. 

"  10.  They  err  in  thinking,  that  it  is  in  man's  power 
"  not  only  to  keep  the  law  oi  God,  but  alfo  to  perform 
M  more  perfect  works  than  be  in  God's  law  commanded, 
m  and  iheie  they  call  the  works  of  perfection.  And  here- 
(i  of  rife  the  works  of  fupererogition,  of  fatisfacYion,  oc 
m  congruity  and  condignity,  to  ilore  up  the  treafure-houfe 
**  of  the  pope's  church,  to  be  fold  out  to  the  people  for 
•«  money. 

"  1 1.  They  err  in  faying,  that  the  ftate  monaftical  is 
■*  more  perfect  for  keeping  the  councils  of  the  gofpel, 
f*  than  other  ftates  be  in  keeping  the  law  of  the  gofpel. 

M  12.  The  councils  of  the  gofpel  they  call  their  vows 
"  of  their  religious  men  ;  as  profound  humility,  perfect 
"  chaftity,  and  wilful  poverty. 

11  13.  They  err  abominably,  in  equalling  their  laws 
««  and  conftitutions  with  God's  law,  and  in  faying,  that 
"  man's  law  bindeth  under  pain  of  damnation,  no  lefs 
"  than  God's  law. 

**  1 4.  They  err  finfully,  in  puniming  the  tranfgreflbrs 
"  of  their  laws  morefharply  than  the  tranfgreifors  of  the 
"  law  of  God ;  as  appeareth  by  their  inquifitions,  and 
"  their  cannon-law,  &o 

"  15.  Finally,  they  err  moft  horribly  in  this,  that  where 
"  the  free  promife  of  God  afcribeth  our  falvation  only  to 
u  our  faith  in  Chrift,  excluding  works;  they,  on  thecon- 

"  trary, 


ioo         PATRICK    HAMILTON. 


trary,  afcribe  falvation  only,  or  principally,  to  works 
and  merits,  excluding  faith.  Whereupon  arifeth  the 
application  of  the  facrifice  of  the  mais,  exopere  operato, 
for  the  quick  and  dead,  application  of  the  merits  of 
Chrift's  pailion,  in  bulls,  application  of  the  merits  of 
all  religious  orders,  and  other  fuch  like  trumpery,  as 
above  mentioned. 

Three  cautions  to  be  obferved  and  avoided  in  the  true  un- 
derfiandtng  of  the  Law. 

"  Firft,  that  we,  through  the  mifunderftanding  of  the 
fcriptnres,  do  not  take  the  law  for  the  gofpel,  nor  the 
gofpel  for  the  law ;  but  ikiifully  difcern  and  diltinguifu 
the  voice  of  the  one  from  the  voice  of  the  other.  Many 
there,  be,  who  reading  the  book  of  the  New  Teftament, 
imagine  that  whatever  they  find  contained  in  it,  to  be 
only  and  merely  the  voice  of  trie  gofpel.  And,  on  the 
other  hand,  whatever  is  contained  in  the  Old  Tefta- 
ment, that  is,  within  the  law,  ftories,  pfahns,  and 
prophets,  to  be  only  and  merely  the  word  and  voice  of 
the  law.  In  which  they  are  deceived  ;  for  the  preach- 
ing of  the  law  and  of  the  gofpel  are  mixed  together  in 
both  the  Teftaments,  as  well  in  the  Old  as  in  the 
New.  Neither  is  the  order  of  thefe  two  doctrines  to 
be  diilinguiflied  by  books  and  leaves,  but  by  the  diver- 
fity  of  God's  Spirit  fpeaking  unto  us.  For  fometimes 
in  the  Old  Teftament  God  doth  comfort,  as  he  comfort- 
ed Adam,  with  the  voice  of  the  gofpel.  Sometimes 
alio  in  the  New,  he  doth  threaten  and  terrify  ;  as  when 
Chrift  threatened  the  Pharifees.  In  fome  places,  again, 
Mofes  and  the  prophets  play  the  evangelifts  :  Infomuch 
that  Jerom  doubted  whether  he  ihould  call  Ifaiah  a 
prophet  or  an  evangelift.  In  fome  places,  likewile, 
"  Chrift  and  the  apoftles  fupply  the  part  of  Mofes  :  And 
"  as  Chrift  hrmfelf,  until  his   death,  was   under  the  law 

(which 


<i 


PATRICK    HAMILTON.         101 

u  (which  law  he  came  not  to  break,  but  to  fulfil),  fohis 
"  fermons  made  to  the  Jews,  run  all  for  the  molt  pant 
"  upon  the  perfect  doctrine  and  works  of  the  law,  fhew- 
"  ing  and  teaching  what  we  ought  to  do  by  the  right 
"  law  of  juitice,  and  what  danger  enfueth  in  not  per- 
"  forming  the  fame.  All  which  places,  though  they  be 
"  contained  in  the  book  of  the  New  Teitament,  yet  they 
V  are  to  be  referred  to  the  do,  trine  of  the  law,  ever 
u  having  in  them  included  a  privy  exception  of  repentance 
(i  and  faith  in  Chrift  Jefus.  As  for  example ;  where 
11  Chrift  thus  preacheth,  Bleffed  are  the  pure  in  heart ; 
"  for  they  fh  all  fee  God  *.  Except  ye  be  converted ',  and  be- 
i(  come  as  little  children,  ye  fhallnot  enter  into  the  kingdom 
il  ofheaven\.  -  But  he,  that  doth  the  will  of  my  Father ,  ft  all 
a  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  heaven  X*  Likewife  the  para- 
"  ble  of  the  unkind  fervant,  juftly  call;  into  prifon  for  not 
"  forgiving  his  fellow- fervant,  &rc||  He,  that  denieth  me 
•*  before  men,  JhaU  he  denied  before  the  angels  of  God.  § 
a  With  other  fuch  like  places  of  fcripture.  All  thefe,  I 
*'  fay,  pertaining  to  the  doctrine  of  the  law,  do  ever  in- 
"  elude  in  them  a  fecret  exception  of  earned  repentance 
a  and  faith  in  Chrift' s  precious  blood.  For  elfe,  Peter 
fl  denied,  and  yet  repented.  Many  publicans  and  fin - 
"  ners  were  unkind,  unmerciful,  and  hard-hearted  to 
"  their  fellow-fervants ;  and  yet  many  of  them  repented, 
"  and  by  faith  were  faved,  Sec.  The  grace  of  Chrift  Je- 
i*  fus  works  in  us  repentance  towards  God,  and  faith  in 
"  himfelf  unfeigned,  • 

"  Briefly,  to  know  when  the  law  fpeaketh,  and  when 
"  the  gofpel  fpeaketh,  and  to  difcern  the  voice  of  the  one 
'•  from  the  voice  of  the  other,  we  may  learn  from  the 
following  remark:  That  when  there  is  any  moral 
work  commanded  to  be  done,  either  to  avoid  puniih- 
ment,  or  upon  promife  of  any  reward  temporal  or  eter- 

*  Matth.  v.  8.  f  Ibid,  xviii.  3.  i  Ibid.vii.  21. 

I  Ibid,  xviii.  23,  Sec.        §  Luke  xvi.  29,  &c,       \  Ibid.xii.  19. 
I  2  rial, 


" 


(( 


to2         PATRICK   HAMILTO  N. 

u  nal,  or  clfe  when  any  promife  is  made  with  cbndition 
"  of  any  work  commanded  in  law;  there  is  to  be  un- 
"  derflood  the  voice  of  the  law.  On  the  other  hand, 
"  where  the  promife  of  life  and  falvation  is  offered  unto 
"  us  freely,  without  any  merits  or  doings  of  ours,  and 
"  fimply  without  any  condition  annexed,  of  any  law, 
"  either  natural,  ceremonial,  or  moral:  All  fuch  places, 
"  whether  they  be  read  in  the  Old  Teftament  or  in  the 
"  New,  are  to  be  referred  to  the  voice  and  doctrine  of 
e<  the  gofpel.  And  this  promife  of  God,  freely  made  to 
"  us  by  the  merits  of  Jefus  Chrift,  (o  long;  before  pro- 
*'*  phefied  to  us  in  the  Old  Tefiament,  and  "afterward  ex- 
"  hibited  in  the  New  Teftament,  and  now  requiring 
*''  nothing  but  our  faith  in  the  Son  of  God,  is  called  pro- 
'  perly  the  voice  of  the  gofpel,  and  differeth  from  the 
"  voice  of  the  law  in  this,  that  it  hath  no  condition  ad- 
■•*'  joined  of  our  meriting,  but  only  refpecleth  the  merits 
u  of  Chrift  the  Son  of  God  ;  by  faith  in  whom  alone  we 
<i  are  prcnifed  of  God  to  be  laved  and  juftified,  accord- 
ig  as  wre  read,  The  righttoufnefs  of  Cod,  which  is  by 


in: 


"  faith  of  Jefus  Chrift  unto  ally -and  upon  all  than  that  be- 
iC  ikve,  &cf     Rom.  hi.  22. 

"  The  fecond  caution  or  danger  to  be  avoided  is,  that 
"  we  now  knowing  how  to  difcern  rightly  between  the 
te  law  and  the  gofpel,  and  having  intelligence  not  to 
"  miftake  one  for  the  other,  muft  take  heed  again  that 
tc  we  break  not  the  order  between  thefe  two,  taking  and 
"  applying  the  law  where  the  gofpel  is  to  be  applied, 
c<  either  to  ourfelves  or  towards  others.  For  notwith- 
"  Iran  ding  the  law  and  the  gofpel  many  times  are  to  be 
<*'  joined  together  in  order  of  doctrine  ;  yet  it  may  fome- 
'•'  times  fall  out,  that  the  law  muft  be  utterly  fequeftered 
"  from  the  gofpel.  As  when  any  perfon  or  perfons  do 
<(  feel  themielves  with  the  majefty  of  the  law  and  judg- 
<{  ment  of  God  fo  terrified  and  oppreffed,  and  with  the 
"  burden  of  their  fms  over  weighed  and  thrown  down  in- 
to 


PATRICK    HAMILTON.         103 

to  utter  dlfeomfort,  and  almdft  even  to  the  pit  of  hell, 
as  happeneth  many  times  to  Toft  and  timorous  con- 
fciences  of  God's  good  fervants  :  When  fuch  mortified 
hearts  do  hear,  either  in  preaching  or  in  reading,  any 
fuch  example  or  place  of  the  fcripture  which  per- 
taineth  to  the  law ;  let  them  think,  that  they  do  not  in 
the  leaft  belong  to  them,  no  more  than  a  mourning- 
weed  belongeth  to  a  marriage-feaft  ;  and  therefore  re- 
moving out  of  their  minds  all  thoughts  of  the  law,  of 
fear,  of  judgment,  and  condemnation,  let  them  only 
fet  before  their  eyes  the  gofpel,  the  fweet  comfort  of 
God's  promife,  free  forgivenefs  of  (ins  in  Chrift,  grace, 
redemption,. liberty,  rejoicing,  pfalms,  thanks,  fingincr, 
and  a  paradife  of  fpiritual  jocundity,  and  nothing  elfe  ; 
thinking  thus  with  themfelves,  that  the  law  hath  done 
his  office  in  them  already,  and  now  muft  needs  give 
place  to  his  better  ;  that  is,  muft  needs  give  room  to 
Chrift  the  Son  of  God,  who  is  the  Lord  and  Matter, 
the  Fulfiller  and  Finifher  of  the  law  ;  for  Chrift  is  the 
end  of  the  law  for  right  eoufnefs  to  every  one  that  believetk, 
Rom.  x.  4. 

"  The  third  danger  to  be  avoided  is,  that  we  do  not, 
on  the  other  hand,  ufe  or  apply  the  gofpel,  inftead  of 
the  law.  For,  as  applying  the  law  inftead  of  the  gof- 
pel, is  like  going  to  a  marriage-feaft  in  a  mourning 
gown  ;  fo  to  apply  the  gofpel  inftead  of  the  law,  is  to 
caft  pearls  before  fwine  :  In  which  there  is  great  abufe 
among  many.  For  commonly  it  is  feen,  that  thefe 
worldly  epicures  and  fecure  mammonifts,  to  whom  rhe 
doctrine  of  the  lav/  doth  properly  appertain,  do  receive 
and  apply  to  themfelves  moft  principally  the  fweet 
promifes  of  the  gofpel :  So  likewife  it  is  too  often  the 
cafe,  for  thole  broken  and  contrite  in  heart,  to  whom 
only  belong  the  joyful  tidings  of  the  gofpel  and  not 
the  law,  to  receive  and  retain  to  themfelves  the  terrible 
voice  and  ientences  of  the  law.     Whereby  it  cometh 

to 


io4         PATRICK    HAMILTON. 

"  to  pafs,  that  many  do  rejoice,  that  mould  mourn  ;  and 
f(  many  fear  and  mourn,  that  mould  rejoice.  Where- 
**  fore,  to  conclude  ;  in  private  ufe  of  life,  let  every  per- 
"  fon  wifely  difcern  between  the  law  and  the  gofpel, 
"  and  aptly  apply  to  himfelf,  that  which  he  feeth  con- 
"  venienr. 

t(  And  again,  in  public  order  of  doctrine,  let  every 
"  difcreet  preacher  put  a  difference  between  the  broken 
"  heart  of  the  mourning  fmner,  and  the  impenitent 
"  worldling,  and  fo  join  both  the  law  with  the  gofpel, 
(t  and  the  gofpel  with  the  law;  that  in  throwing  down 
"  thewickedhe  everfpare  the  weak-hearted  ;  and  again,  fb 
u  fpare  the  weak,  that  he  do  not  encourage  the  ungodly." 

The  Chriftian  Reader  will  excufe  the  length  of  thefe 
extracts,  which  we  will  conclude  with  remarking^ ;  that 
this  excellent  man  Hamilton,  and  his  blelfed  commentator 
Frith,  lived  before  the  eftablifhment  of  the  reformation 
in  their  refpective  countries  of  Scotland  and  England  ;  and 
that  it  is  comfortable  to  reflect,  that  the  fame  Spirit  teaches 
the  fame  truth  in  all  places  and  times ;  as  appears  in  the 
inftance  before  us,  which  contains  the  gofpel  with  as  much 
clearnefs  (  and  would  to  GOD,  it  might  not  be  faid, 
with  more  clearnefs)  as  among  the  profelTors  of  a  later 
day. 


ULRICUS    ZUINGLIUS, 

The  REFORMER   of  SWITZERLAND. 

ULRICUS  ZUINGLIUS,   the    famous   reformer    of 
this  country,  was  of  a  good  parentage,  and  born  on 
the  firft  of  January,  1487,  at  Wildehaufen  in  the  county 

of 


Z  U  I  N  G  L  I  U  S.  105 

of  Tockenburg,  which  is  a  diftincT:  republic,  in  alliance 
with  the  Sv.itxers,  or  Helvetic  body.  He  was  fent  to 
Balil,  when  he  was  ten  years  of  age,  to  receive  the  fir  ft 
rudiments  of  his  learning  ;  and  from  thence  he  went  to 
Bern,  where  he  was  taught  Greek  and  Hebrew  under 
Henry  Lupulus.  He  itudied  philofophy  at  Vienna,  and 
divinity  ;uBafil,  where  he  was  made  doctor  in  1505,  about 
which  time  he  heard  Thomas  Wittenbach  preach,  that  the 
death  of  Chrift  is  the  only  price  of  our  redemption,  and 
that  indulgences  were  but  a  device  of  the  pope  :  And  the 
next  year  he  began  to  preach  with  fuch  good  fuccefs,  that 
he  was  elected  pallor  of  Claris,  the  chief  town  in  the 
canton  of  that  name.  He  continued  there  till  15 16,  when 
the  reputation  which  he  had  acquired  by  his  fermons  oc- 
calioned  him  to  be  called  to  the  Hermitage,  a  place  famous 
for  pilgrimages  to  the  virgin  Mary. 

It  is  reported,  that  Zuinglius,  about  this  time,  had  a  re- 
markable conference  with  cardinal  Matthew,  bifhop  of 
Syon,  in  the  allied  country  of  Valais,  concerning  the 
abnjes  which  had  crept  into  the  church,  and  the  way  to 
work  a  reformation.  He  had  before  read  the  conclu- 
fions  of  the  famous  Picus  of  Mirandula,  which  had  gone 
far  to  determine  his  judgment.  He  then  had  heard  noth- 
ing of  Luther. 

He  was  foon  after  invited  to  Znrick,  the  capital  of  that 
canton,  to  undertake  the  principal  charge  of  that  city, 
and  to  preach  the  word  of  God  among  the  inhabitants. 
The  method  which  he  followed  in  his  fermons,  was  to 
explain  a  text  of  holy  fcripture  ;  and  he  began  with  the 
gofpel  of  St.  Matthew. 

About  the  year  151 7,  Martin  Luther,  profeflbr  of  Wit-, 
tenburg  in  Saxony,  had  entered  into  a  difpute  againft  the 
cuftom  of  felling  indulgences  by  the  pope,  who  condemned 
Luther  :  But  he  appealed  to  a  council,  and  went  on  writ- 
ing againft  the  errors  of  the  church  of  Rome. 

Zuinglius  mewed  himfelf  at  firit  very  favourable  to  Lu- 
ther, 


i  od  ZUINGLtUS. 

ther,  and  recommended  his  books  to  his  auditors,  though 
he  would  not  preach  them  himfelf.  Sampfon,  a  Francif- 
can  of  Milan,  was  Tent  by  the  pope,  as  general  vilitor  of 
his  order,  topublifh  indulgences  at  Zurick.  He  preached, 
according  to  the  ufual  manner,  that  the  pope  had  granted 
an  abfolute  pardon  of  fins  to  fuch  as  purchafed  thofe  in- 
dulgences, and  that  they  might  thereby  infallibly  deliver 
fouls  out  of  purgatory.  Zuinglius  followed  the  example 
of  Luther,  by  declaiming  powerfully  againft  this  Francif- 
can,  and  againft  the  indulgences.  Hugh  bifhop  of  Con- 
ftance  believed,  that  Zuinglius  wasdifpleafed  only  with  the 
abufe,  and  exhorted  him  to  proceed  under  his  patronage: 
But  Zuinglius  went  farther,  and  foliated  that  prelate,  as 
alfo  the  papal  legate  in  Switzerland,  to  favour  the  doctrine 
that  he  intended  to  fettle,  which  he  called  evangelical 
truth.  1  hey  refufed  his  propofals  ;  and  he  oppofed  the 
popifh  ceremonies  from  the  year  15 19,  to  1523,  when  he 
found  an  opportunity  of  eftabliihing  his  own  doctrine,  and 
of  abolifhing  the  fuperftition  of  Rome. 

Erafmus  was  difpleafed  at  the  violent  quarrels  which 
arofe  about  the  Lord's  fupper  among  the  reformers,  the 
Zuinglians,  and  the  Lutherans  ;  for,  in  thofe  days,  Zuin- 
glius and  his  adherents  were  the  only  men  who  talked 
reafonably  upon  the  fubjecl.  He  informed  the  prefident 
of  the  court  at  Mechlin,  in  1522,  that  the  fpirit  of  re- 
formation increafed  in  Switzerland,  where  there  were  two 
hundred  thoufand  who  abhorred  the  fee  of  Rome.  Eraf- 
mus was  not  miftakenin  this,  as  the  reformation  in  Swit- 
zerland foon  afterwards  mewed. 

The  Switzers  had  rendered  themfelves  a  very  formida- 
ble nation,  and  their  bravery  was  admired  in  all  the  Eu- 
ropean ftates.  Francis  I.  king  of  France  purchafed  their 
friend'hip  with  a  great  fum  of  money  in  15 15  :  And,  in 
1 52 1,  concluded  a  treaty  with  the  Switzers,  by  which  he 
was  at  liberty  to  levy  any  number  of  Swifs  troops,  from 
fix  to  fixteen  thoufand,  without  alking  the  confent  of  the 

magiftrates. 


ZUINGLIUS.  107 

magistrates*  The  canton  of  Zurick  refufed  to  enter  into 
this  treaty ;  becaufe  Zuiuglius,  who  was  in  great  eftecm 
there,  represented  that  the  Suffering  a  foreign  prince  to 
raiie  troops  in  this  manner,  was,  in  effect,  felling  the 
blood  of  their  allies  and  children. 

Zuinglius  conducted  the  reformation  in  Switzerland 
with  as  much  progrefs  as  Luther  conducted  that  in  Sax- 
ony ;  though  he  carried  himfelf  with  more  moderation  and 
prudence.  He  propounded  his  doctrine  in  his  ferrnons, 
which  he  preached  four  years  fucceilively  in  Zurick,  and 
thereby  prepared  the  minds  of  the  people  for  its  recep- 
tion :  But  he  would  not  attempt  to  make  any  alterations 
in  the  divine  worfliip  without  the  concurrence  of  the  ma- 
giftrates,  and  he  caufed  an  alfembly  to  be  called  for  that 
pni-poie  by  the  fenate  of  Zurick,  on  the  twenty-ninth  of 
January,  1523,  that  the  differences  among  preachers  in 
matters  of  religion  might  be  compofed. 

1  he    aflembly    met  upon  the  day  appointed,    when  a 
great  number  of  the  clergy   appeared,  and  the  bifhop  of 
Conftance  fent  three  deputies,  among  whom  was  John  Fa- 
ber,  his  chief  vicar.     The  council  opened  the  conference 
by  declaring,  that  the  ferrnons  of  Zuinglius  had  railed  fo 
many  difputes  in  their  city,  that  the  fenate  thought  it  the 
belt  way    to  allay  thefe  differences  by  appointing  a  con- 
ference before  the  council  of  two  hundred,  to  which  all 
the  clergy  both   of  the  city  and  country  had  been  fum- 
moned.     Zuinglius  replied,  "  That  the  light  of  the  gof- 
pel  had  been  obfeured,  and  almoft  extinguifhed,  by  hu- 
man traditions  :  But  that  feveral  eminent  men  had  lately 
"  endeavoured  to  reftore  it,  by  preaching    the  word  of 
"  God  to  the  people  in  its  purity.     That  he  was  one  of 
that  number;  and,    like  them,  had  been  treated  as  an 
heretic  and  feducer  ;  though  he  had,  for  five  years  part, 
taught  only  what  was  contained  in   the  holy  fcripture. 
That  it  was  for  this  reafon  he  had  defired  to  give  an 
account  of  his  doctrine  before  the  fenate  of  Zurick,  and 

the 


io$  ZUINGLIUS. 

"  the  bifhop  of  Conftance.  That  he  thanked  the  fenate 
"  for  granting  him  this  favour ;  and  that  he  had  drawn 
"  his  doctrines  into  fixty-feven  proportions,  which  he  was 
u  fully  perfuaded  were  agreeable  to  the  gofpel :  And  he 
"  was  ready  to  anfwer  for  himielf,  if  any  perfon  would 
"   accufe  him  of  error  or  hereiy." 

The  doctrines  contained  in  thofe  fixty-feven  propo- 
rtions, may  be  reduced  to  thefe  following  articles.  That 
the  gofpel  is  the  only  rule  of  faith.  The  church  is  the 
communion  of  faints.  We  ought  to  acknowledge  no 
other  head  of  the  church  but  Jefus  Chrift.  All  traditions 
mould  be  rejected.  There  is  no  other  facrifice  but  that 
of  Jefus  Chrift  upon  the  crofs :  And  the  mafs  is  no  fa- 
crifice, but  a  commemoration  of  the  facrifice  of  Chrift. 
We  have  need  of  no  other  interceflbr  with  God  than  Jefus 
Chrift.  All  forts  of  meat  may  be  eaten  at  all  times. 
The  habits  of  monks  fmell  of  hypocrify.  Marriage  is 
allowed  to  all  men,  and  no  man  is  obliged  to  make  a  vow 
of  chaftity,  nor  are  priefts  at  all  obliged  to  live  unmar- 
ried. Excommunication  ought  not  to  be  inflicted  by  the 
bifhop  alone,  but  by  the  whole  church ;  and  notorious 
offenders* only  ought  to  be  excommunicated.  The  power 
which  the  pope  and  biihops  aflume  to  themfelves,  is  a 
piece  of  pride  that  has  no  foundation  in  the  fcripture. 
God  alone  can  forgive  fins :  For  confemon  of  fin  to  a 
prieft,  is  only  to  beg  his  ghoftly  advice ;  and  works  of 
fatisfaction  proceed  from  human  tradition.  The  fcripture 
does  not  teach  us,  that  there  is  fuch  a  place  as  purgatory. 
The  character  which  the  facraments  are  faid  to  imprefs 
is  of  a  modern  invention.  The  fcripture  acknowledges 
none  for  priefts,  or  biihops,  but  fuch  as  preach  the  word 
of  Sod.  Laftly,  he  promiied  to  deliver  his  judgment 
about  tythes,  the  revenues  of  the  church,  the  condition 
of  infants  not  baptized,  and  about  confirmation,  if  any 
perfon  defired  to  difpuie  with  him  upon  thefe  points. 

Zuinglius  exhorted  the  magistrates  of  Zurick  to  leave 

their 


ZUINGLITS.  109 

their  citizens  no  longer  in  doubt  of  what  concerned  their 
falvation.  The  council  then  declared,  that  if  any  perlbh 
prefent  had  any  thing  to  alledge  againft  Zuinglius,  he  h?.>\ 
free  liberty  to  fpeak.  Zuinglius  made  a  public  challenge 
three  times:  But  he  met  with  no  opponent,  except  Faber, 
who  inadvertently  mentioned  the  intercellion  of  faints, 
which  gave  Zuinglius  an  opportunity  of  oppoiing  that 
doctrine,  and  drawing  his  adverfary  into  a  difpute. 

Faber  made  a  very  general  dilcourie  about  the  authority 
of  the  church  and  councils,  which  had  condemned  the 
ancient  heretics,  and  lately  WickliiFe,  Hufs,  and  Jerom  of 
Prague,  whole  doctrines  were  now  revived.  He  laid,  that 
the  intercefiion  of  faints  was  a  doctrine,  which  had  been 
long  fettled  in  the  church,  and  authorized  by  the  prac- 
tice of  all  nations  :  But  concluded,  that  inch  queltions 
ought  to  be  debated  only  among  divines,  as  in  the  uni- 
verlities  of  Paris,  Cologne,  or  Lou  vain. 

Zuinglius  replied,  that  he  deiiredof  him  only  torefolve, 
whether  the  fcripture  made  any  mention  of  the  intercellion 
of  faints?  If  councils  were  infallible?  Whether  tradi- 
tions and  cuitoms  ought  not  to  be  rejected,  when  they  are 
not  grounded  upon  the  authority  of  holy  fcripture  ?  And 
whether  it  is  not  clearly  expreffed,  that  Jeius  Chrift  is 
our  only  Mediator  ? 

From  this  queftion,  they  palled  to  another  concerning 
the  celibacy  of  priefts ;  and  thefe  two  queltions  were  the 
fubject  of  a  long  conteit,  between  the  deputies  of  the  bifh- 
op  of  Conftarice  on  the  one  part,  and  Zuinglius,  Leo 
Judas,  and  fome  other  minifters  on  the  other.  The  for- 
mer fupported  their  opinions  by  tradition,  the  authority 
of  the  church,  and  the  canons  of  the  councils :  But  the  lat- 
ter would  abide  only  by  the  holy  fcripture. 

The  debates  ended   at  noon,  and    the  fenate  publilhed 

an  edict,  whereby  it  was  ordained,  *  that  Zuinglius  mould  ' 

«  continue  to  teach  and  preach  the  doctrine  of  the  gofpel, 

'  and   the  word  of  God,  in  his  ufuai   manner  ;  and    all 

K  '  paftors 


uo  Z  U  I  N  G  L  I  U  S. 

*  paftors  and  teachers,  both  in  the  city  and  country,  were 
(  forbid  to  teach  any  thing  that  could  not  be  proved  by 
f  the  gofpei,  and  holy  fcripture  ;  and  they  were  enjoined 
'  to  forbear  all  accufations  of  herefy,  or  other  crimes.' 

Faber  entered  a  proteftation  againft  this  edict,  and  laid, 
he  would  demonstrate,  that  the  doctrine  of  Zuinglius  was 
contrary  to  that  of  St.  Paul.  Zuinglius  challenged  him 
to  do  it;  and  prorniied  him  a  cheele  of  hare's  milk,  if  he 
could  prove  any  of  his  doctrines  erroneous,  by  the  gofpei, 
or  holy  fcripture. 

It  iseafy  to  imagine,  after  the  publication  of  this  edict, 
that  the  doctrine  of  Zuinglius  became  general  throughout 
all  the  canton  of  Zurich,  under  the  name  of  '  evangelical 
6  truth.'  The  external  worihip  was  contrary  to  the  new 
doctrine  ;  for  images  remained,  and  mafs  was  celebrated, 
in  the  churches,  which  could  not  be  aboliihed  without 
authority.  Zuinglius  was  determined  to  perfect  his  de- 
lign,  and  engaged  the  fenate  to  call  a  new  aflembly,  to 
which  they  invited  the  bilhop  of  Conftance,  Coire,  and 
Bafil,  the  univerfity  of  Bafil,  and  the  other  twelve  can- 
tons of  Switzerland,  to  fend  their  deputies,  and  make  the 
aifembly  of  greater  authority.. 

The  fenate  afiembled  again,  on  the  twenty-flxth  of  Oc- 
tober, 1523,  when  Joachim  Vadianus,  Sebaftian  Hoffman, 
and  Chriftopher  Chapplerus,  werecliofen  arbitrators  of  the 
difpute  :  Zuinglius  and  Leo  Jucks  were  reipondents.  And 
all  perfons  prefent  were  allowed  to  object  what  they 
pleafed.  The  firft  queftion  propounded  was,  '  What  the 
'  church  is,  and  where  it  is?'  Zuinglius  diftinguifhed, 
and  laid,  "  That  the  church  was  taken  in  two  fenfes  : 
t(  Firft,  For  the  congregation  of  all  true  Chriftians,  of 
<i  whom  Jefus  Chrift  is  the  head:  Secondly,  For  the  par- 
i(  ticular  congregation  of  Chriftians  in  one  place:"  And 
he  maintained,  that  the  congregations  of  cardinals  and 
biihops  were  not  the  church.  Be  declared,  his  difregard 
of  the  councils,  his  contempt  of  the   pope's  decree,  and 

h  is 


Z  U  I  N  G  L  I  U  S.  in 

his  neglect  of  the  emperor's  edict.  Leo  Judge  oppofed 
the  ufe  of  images  by  texts  of  the  Old  Teftament,  where- 
by it  was  forbidden  the  Jews  to  make  or  worihip  any 
graven  image  :  and  by  fuch  places  of  the  New  Teilament, 
v  herein  the  adoration  of  idols  was  prohibited.  Zuinglius 
maintained,  that  images  were  not  to  be  tolerated,  and  that 
the  law  of  God  forbad  them  abfolutely.  The  refolution 
of  this  hrft  conference  was,  that  no  images  were  to  be  al- 
loved  among Chriitians. 

In  the  i'econd  conference,  they  diiconrfed  about  the 
mafs,  which  Zuinglius  maintained  was  no  facrifice.  The 
three  arbitrators,  appointed  by  the  fenate,  gave  fentence, 
that  '  Th*e  abufes  of  images  and  malTes  were  iufficiently 
'  proved  by  the  word  of  God  ;  therefore,  they  left  it  to* 
1  the  fenate  to  enquire  how  they  might  be  aboiilhed  with- 
1  out  offence-  This  was  the  refult  of  the  conference,, 
which  was  followed  with  an  edict,  whereby  it  was  for- 
bidden to  the  prieits  and  monks  to  make  any  public  pro- 
ceflions,  to  carry  the  holy  facrament,  or  elevate  it  in  the 
church  to  be  worfhipped.  Ftelics  were  taken  out  of 
churches:'  It  was  ordered,  that  organs  lhould  not  be 
played,  or  bells  be  rung  ;  that  palm-branches,  fait,  or 
tapers  ihould  not  be  blelfed  ;  and  that  extreme  unction 
lhould  not  be  adminiftered  to  the  fick.  Thus,  part  of  the 
outward  worihip  and  ceremonies  of  the  church  of  Rome- 
were  abolifhed  in  the  canton  of  Zurick. 

The  other  twelve  cantons  were  diffatisfied  with  this 
edict,  which  was  maintained  by  the  canton  of  Zurick, 
whole  fenators  ordered  all  the  images  to  be  pulled  down.- 

Zuinglius  himfelf  relates  in  his  book  Coronis  de  Eucha- 
riftia,  Oper.  part.  1 1.  fol.  249-  that  when  one  of  his  op- 
ponents, in  the  conference,  challenged  him  to  mew,  in 
any  place  of  fcripture,  where  the  verb  eft  (is)  flood  for 
fignificat  (fignifies)  without  an  evident  tropical  or  figura- 
tive allufion  ;  fuch  as  where  Chriftsfays,  the  feed  is  the 
word  of  God,  in  which  place,  is,  evidently  means  jignifies  ; 

or,. 


ii2  Z  U  I  N  G  L  I  U  S. 

or,  I  am  the  door,  the  vine,  &c.  which  are  tropical  expref- 
iions  at  firft  Tight;  but  that  hoc  eft  corpus  meum  did  not 
neceffarily  and   obvioufiy  imply,   this  signifies  my  body, 
or  that    our  Lord  ufed   in  that    cafe  a  figurative  way   of 
fpeech  :  Zuingiius  w&s  puzzled  at  the   time,   and  (as  he 
fays)  for  thirteen  days  afterwards,  in  which  he  was  con- 
tinually revolving    the  matter  in   his  mind,  and  turning 
over  his  Bible  inceilantly,  but   without  the  explicit  fatis- 
faclion  he  defired.     At  length,  in  his  fleep,  he  dreamed 
that  he  was  in  difputation  with  his  adverfary,  who  prefied 
him  very  dofe  with  this  circumilance,  infomuch  that  he 
fecmed  to  have  given  up  the  point,  and  to  be  itruck  dumb 
before  the  audience.     While  he  was  in  this  perplexity,  he 
fa\v  m  his  vifion  a  form  approaching  to  him,  and  faying, 
*  O  thou  unwife  one,  why   doit  not  anfwer   to  him  the 
'   word  of  the  Lord  in  Exod.  xii.  1 1.  where  he  expresily 
'  and  pofitively  laid  of  the  Lamb  that  was  eaten,  it  is  the 
1  Lord's  tassovek,  or  palfage  out  of  Egypi/ — He  awoke 
from  his  fleep,  and   with  this   proof,    in  the  next  day's 
ciicourfe,  he  refuted  the  objection  of  his  adverfary,  mew- 
ing that,  in  this  text,  the  word  is  neceiTarily  means  figni- 
f-es.       1  he  elder  Spanheim  could  not   but   believe,  from 
the  occafion,  the  matter,  and  the  ufe,  that  this  virion  was 
fent  from  God ;  and  the  excellent  Witfius  inclines  to  the 
fame    opinion,    confirming    it  by  the    moclelt  and  fober 
manner  in  which  Zuingiius  himielf  relates  the  ftory.    See 
Witsii  Mifcell.    Sacr-Lib.  i.  c  24. 

About  this  time,  Zuingiius  wrote  feveral  books  in  de- 
fence of  his  doctrine.  The  firft  was  a  large  explication 
of  the  proportions,  which  he  had  delivered  in  the  firft 
conference.  The  fecond  was  a  difcourfe  dedicated  to  all 
the  cantons  of -Switzerland ;  exhorting  them  not  to  im- 
pede the  progrefs  of  his  doctrine,  nor  to  be  dhTatisfied 
with  the  marriages  of  prieits.  The  third  was  an  anfwer 
to  the  2uvice,  which  the  biihop  of  Conflance  had  given  to 
the  innate  of  Zurick,  to  oppofe  innovations.     Ke  alio  wrote 

a 


Z  U  I  N  G  L  I  U  S.  113 

a  book  about  the  certainty  and  evidence  of  the  word  of 
God :  Two  treatiies  againft  the  canon  of  the  mats :  A 
letter  concerning  the  grace  of  Jefns  Chriit :  And  an  an- 
fwer  to  a  book  written  by  Jerom  Emfer- 

The  bilhopof  Conitance,  in  1524,  pnblillied  a  book  in 
vindication  of  images  and  the  mafs.  This  was  prefented 
to  the  fen  ate  of  Zurich  ;  and  Zuinglins  aniwered  it  in  their 
name. 

Zuinglius,Leo  Judre,  Engelhardus,  Megander,  and  My- 
conius,  on  the  eleventh  of  April,  1525,  petitioned  the  fe- 
ll ate  of  Zurkk  to  aboliih  the  mafs,  and  the  adoration  of 
the  elements  in  the  facraments ;  in  confequence  of  which, 
the  fenate  made  a  decree,  whereby  the  mafs  was  aboliihed 
for  ever,  and  the  facrament  was  ordered  to  be  received 
after  another  manner. 

The  form  of  celebrating  the  Lord's  flipper  prefcribed 
by  Zninglius,  differed  more  from  the  church  of  Rome,  than 
the  form  prefcribed  by  Luther-  He  ordered,  "  that  the 
u  table  ihould  be  covered  with  a  white  cloth ;  on  which 
"  were  to  be  let  the  patin  full  of  leavened  bread,  and 
-is  filled  with  wine.:  That  the  miniihr  and  dea- 
"  cons  mould  fraud  by  the  table,  where  they  were  to 
"  exhort  the  people  to  approach  with  reverence ;  after 
"  v.  hich,  one  of  the  deacons  mould  read  the  inditution 
"  of  the  Lord's  fupper,  taken  out  of  the  epiflle  to  the 
"  Corinthians  ;  and  another  Ihould  repeat  a  part  of  the 
"  fixth  chapter  of  St.  John:  That  the  miniiter  ihould 
"  then  read  the  creed,  and  exhort  all  the  communicants 
u  to  examine  their  own  conferences,  that  they  might  not 
"  be  guilty  of  the  body  and  blood  of  the  Lord  by  re- 
"  ce.ving  them  unworthily  :  That  the  miniller  and  peo- 
"  pie  ihould  then  kneel,  and  fay  the  Lord's  Prayer, 
"  after  which,  the  miniiter  ihould  take  the  bread  in  his 

hands,  and  deliver  the  words  of  the  inilkution   of  the 

'  Lord's  fupper  with  an   audible    voice;  then  give  the 

"  bread  and  wine  to  the  deacons,  who  ihould  dlftribnte 


ii4  Z  U  I  N  G  L  I  U  S. 

<l  them  to  the  people,  while  the  minifter  flvould  read  the 
i(  difcourfe  with  our  Saviour  had  with  his  difciples  bc- 
M  fore  his  paflion,  as  related  in  the  gofpel  of  St.  John.'' 
This  was  the  form  of  adminiiiering  the  facrament,  which 
Zuinglius  appointed  to  be  ufed.  He  maintained,  in  his 
doctrine  concerning  the  facrament,  that  thefe  words  of 
Jelus  Chrift,  il  This  is  my  body  \  this  is  my  blood,  are  to  be 
"  underftood  thus:  This  fignifies  my  body  and  blood ;  this 
"  bread  and  this  wine  are  a  figure  of  my  body  and  blood; 
u  this  is  a  teflimony  and  pledge,  thai  my  body  Jhall  be  deli- 
Ci  vered  up,  and  broken  for  you  upon  the  crofs,  and  my  blood 
u  fhall  be  fhed  for  you,"  From  whence  it  follows,  that 
not  only  the  bread  and  wine  exift  after  confecration  :  but 
alio,  that  the  body  and  blood  of  Jefus  Chrift  are  not  pre- 
fent  in  the  Eucharift ;  and  that  the  bread  and  wine  are 
only  a  figure  of  the  body  and  blood  of  Jefus  Chrift,  com- 
municated in  ?.  fpiritual  manner  by  faith. 

Luther  declared  againft  the  doctrine  of  Zuinglius,  which 
Oecolampadius  embraced.  Zuinglius  was  lefs  concerned 
at  the  writings  of  the  catholics  than  of  Luther,  who  pub- 
liihed  a  fermon  at  Wittenburg  about  the  body  and  blood 
of  Jefus  Chrift,  which  he  made  againft  the  giddy-headed 
ipirits,  as  he  called  the  Zuinglians.  A  confutation  of  this 
fermon  was  wrote  by  Zuinglius,  who  lent  letters  to 
Nuremburg  upon  the  fubject.  He  alfo  anfwered  the 
letters  which  Pelicanus,  and  Urbanus  Regius,  wrote 
againft  him  :  And  he  compofed  a  work,  entitled,  The 
Lord's  Supper.  In  1527,  he  drew  up  an  apology  againft 
a  book  written  by  Jacobus  Strauffius,  wherein  he  explain- 
ed the  Lord's  fupper  at  large,  dedicated  to  Luther,  and 
anfwered  his  fermon  at  Wittenburg  againft  the  Sacramen- 
tarians. 

Bucer  wrote  fever al  tracts  in  defence  of  the  Zuinglians, 
and  affifted  Oecolampadius  in  confuting  the  large  confei- 
iion  of  Luther.  The  papifts  found,  that  the  Zuinglians 
were  more  to  be  feared  than  the  Lutherans,  and  exerted 

their 


ZUINGLIUS.  115 

their  utmoit  endeavors  to  prevent  the  fpreading  of  that 
fed  in  the  popilh  cantons  of  Switzerland. 

The  reformation  gained  ground,  notwithstanding  the 
remonftrances  of  the  emperor,  the  biiliops  of  Conftance, 
Bali],  Lauianue,  and  Sion,  and  eight  of  the  cantons. 
Another  general  affembly  wus  convened  at  Bern  by  Zuin- 
glius,  on  the  ieventh  of  January  1528,  when  the  doc- 
trines of  the  church  of  Rome  were  condemned.  The 
opinions  of  Zuinglius  were  then  introduced  all  over  Bern, 
which  example  was  imitated  by  the  cantons  of  Baiil  and 
Schaffhaufen*  This occalloned  ill  blood:  But  the  impru- 
dence of  the  inhabitants  of  Underwald,  who  protected  the 
revolters  from  Bern,  conduced  mon;  to  the  embroiling 
the  cantons.  The  Zurickefe  armed  themfelves,  and 
were  on  the  point  of  attacking  the  five  cantons  of  Luccrn, 
Uri,  Switz,  Zug,  and  Underwald :  But,  by  an  agreement 
made  at  Caffel,  it  was  determined,  '  that  there  lhould  be 
'  liberty  of  confeience  throughout  Switzerland  :  And  that 
'  the  five  cantons  lhould  renounce  their  alliance  with 
*  the  emporor  Ferdinand.'  Henry  VIII.  of  England  em- 
ployed Grynreus  to  try  what  Zuinglius,  Oecolampadius, 
and  Bucer,  thought  of  his  marriage  with  his  queen  Catha- 
rine. Zuinglius  and  Oecolampadius  were  of  opinion,  that 
theilTue  by  a  marriage  cle  fatlo,  grounded  upon  a  received 
miilake,  ought  not  to  be  illegitimated. 

There  was  great  altercation  between  the  Lutherans 
and  Zuinglians,  before  the  citizens  of  Bern  abolimed 
popery.  Conftance,  Geneva,  Baiil,  and  Straiburg,  alfo 
threw  off  the  yoke,  and  pulled  down  the  altars  and  images 
in  all  places.  But  Bucer  was  embarraffed  between  the 
Lutherans  and  Zuinglians,  and  endeavored  to  procure  a 
good  underftanding  between  them  in  vain. 

It  muit  however  be  obferved,  that  the  only  principal 
ground  of  difference  was  upon  the  fubject  of  the  facra- 
ment,  and  that,  in  this  refpect  alio,  both  parties  were  far 
enough  from  the  Romifh  opinion.     In  the  other  material 

points, 


n6  ZUINGLIU  S- 

points,  both  Lutherans  and  Ztiinglians  were  fofficientfy 
agreed,  as  appears  by  the  acts  of  the  fynod  held  at  Mar- 
purg,  under  the  aufpices  of  the  landgrave  of  Helle,  ia  the 
year  1529,  were  both  Luther  andZuinglius  were  prefent, 
and  formed  an  agreement  upon  the  following  articles  : 
viz.  1.  On  the  Unity  and  Trinity  of  the  Godhead.  2.  On 
the  incarnation  of  the  Word.  3.  Onthepaiiion  and  refur- 
reclion  of  Chriftv  4.  On  the  article  of  original  fin-  5.  On 
the  article  of  faith  in  Chrift.  6.  That  this  faith  doeth  not 
fpring  from  human  merit,  but  only  from  the  gift  of  God. 
7.  1  hat,  through  this  faith,  believers  have  righteoufnefs. 
On  feveral  other  articles,  reipeeTingthe  baptifm  of  infants, 
on  confefiion,  on  good  works,  on  the  civil  power,  on 
traditions,  &c»  And,  laftly,  concerning  the  Lord's  flip- 
per, th.ey  mutually  agreed,  that  it  ought  to  be  adrniniilered 
in  both  kinds;  that  the  mafs  is  no  fuch  work  or  facrifice, 
as  to  obtain  grace  either  for  quick  or  dead ;  that  the 
facrament  is  a  true  facrament  of  the  body  and  blood  of 
Chrift  ;  that  the  fpiritual  manducation  of  his  body  and 
blood  is  the  true  receiving  of  this  facrament,  and  neceliary 
for  all  believers ;  and  that  the  Spirit  of  GOD  confers 
grace  in  the  faithful  life  of  it.  In  hne,  as  Martin  Bucer 
obferved,  there  was  a  greater  difference  in  charity 
between  both  parties,  than  in  the  true  ftate  of  the  doc- 
trine. There  were,  indeed,  warm  men  on  both  fides, 
who,  however  iincerely  pious  and  meaning  what  was 
right,  could  not  yield  up  their  own  formulary,  though 
undeniably  eifential  to  the  peace  of  the  church  and  the 
fpreading  interelt  of  the  proteftant  religion. 

The  diet  of  Auglburg  was  held  in  1530,  to  confult 
about  matters  of  religion,  and  the  war  againft  the  Turks. 
The  proteftant  princes  publicly  read  their  confellion  of 
faith  ;  and  the  catholic  divines  drew  up  a  confutation  of  it. 
The  proteftants  prefented  an  '  apology  for  their  confeihon 
i  to  the  emperor,  who  would  not  receive  it,  though  it  was 
*  drawn  up  by  Melancthon,  with  his  ufual  moderation.' 

The 


ZUINGLIUS.  117 

The  Zuinglians  alfo  preferred  their  tonfefl'on  of  faith 
to  the  emperor,  in  the  name  of  the  cities  of  Strdbnrg, 
Conilance,  Mcmmingen,  and  Landau.  It  was  draw  n  up  by 
Bncer  and  Capito;  but  contained  nothing  about  the  Tri- 
nity, or  Incarnation,  that  was  contrary  to  the  doctrine  of 
the  Romiih  church.  They  held,  l  That  men  arejuftified 
1  only  by  the  merits  of  Jefus  Chriftr  and  faith  :  That 
1  good  works  are  neceffary ;  and  fo  is  obedience  to  ma- 
i  giitrates  :  They  commended  failing  and  prayer ;  but 
'  condemned  the  worfhip  and  intercefhon  of  faints,  vows, 
4  and   the   monaitic    flate  :  They  allowed  of  fuch  tradi- 

*  tions  as  are  not  contrary  to  the  word  of  God;  and  de- 
'.  lined  the  church  to  be  a  congregation  of  true  believers. 
'  They  allowed  of   only  two   facraraents  ;  baptifm,  and 

*  the  Lord's  fupper  ;  and  that  God  unites  Chriiiians  in 
1  ap  outward  communion  by  thofe  facred  fymbols ;  not 
'  only  becaufe  they  are  vifible  figns-  of  inviiible  grace,  but 
'  alio  becaufe  they  are  teitimonies  of  our  faith.  They 
'  difap proved  of  private    maffes,   and    confeiliori  :    And 

*  concluded  with  a  long;  invective  againft  the  ^ourt  of 
'  home.' 

This  confefilon  of  faith  was  more  unacceptable  than 
that  of  the  Lutherans ;  and  the  emperor  ordered  Faber 
and  Eckius  to  draw  up  an  anfwer  to  it,  which  was  read  in 
afull  diet  5  and  the  emperor  commanded  the  Zuinglians 
to  renounce  their  doctrine*  Zuinglius  foon  after  wrote  a 
letter  to  the  protectant  princes  in  defence  of  his  opinions 
agalnit  Eckius,  and  particularly  concerning  the  facrament 
of  the  Eucharift,  wherein  he  exprefsly  denied  the  real 
prefence,  concerning  which  the  Lutherans  had  not  been  fo 
explicit. 

Zuinglius  alfo  lent  to  the  diet  a  particular  confefTion  of 
faith,  comprized  in  twelve  articles,  relating  to  the  Trinity 
and  incarnation  ;  the  fall  of  man,  and  neceility  of  grace  \ 
original  fin  ;  baptifm  of  infants ;  the  church ;  the  facra- 

ments : 


n8  ZUINGLIU  S. 

ments;  ceremonies;  the  miniftry  of  the  gofpel ;  the  au- 
thority of  magiftrates ;  and  purgatory. 

The  emperor  published  the  decree  of  the  diet  againftthe 
protenants  and  facramentarians,  which  neither  obeyed : 
But  the  proteftant  princes,  and  the  reformed  cantons  of 
Switzerland,  entered  into  a  confederacy  to  defend  them- 
felves  and  their  religion,  againft  the  emperor  and  the 
Roman  catholic  powers.  This  was  the  league  of  Smal- 
kald,  concluded  in  1^31,  upon  the  fuccefs  of  which  the 
proteitant  religion  depended. 

The  fame  year  a  civil  war  began  in  Switzerland,  be- 
tween the  five  catholic  cantons,  and  thofe  of  Zurick  and 
Bern.  The  Ziirickefe  were  defeated  in  their  own  terri- 
tories, with  the  lofs  of  four  hundred  men.  Zuinglius,. 
who  accompanied  them,  was  killed  in  this  action,  in  the 
forty-fourth  year  of  his  age.  Great  cruelty  was  {hewn 
to  his  corpfe,  and  it  was  attempted  to  be  burnt. 

Much  has  been  faid  by  the  enemies  of  Zuinglius,  re» 
fpecting  his  appearance  on  the  field  of  battle;  but  it  may 
be  obferved,  what  Oecolampadius  and  Sieidan  have  urged 
in  his  defence,  that  it  was  the  cuftom  of  the  Zurickefe,  from 
time  immemorial,,  when  they  engaged  in  war,  to  have  the 
chief  minifter  of  their  church  attendant  upon  them,  both 
to  preach  to  the  people  and  to  pray  for  a  bleiiing  upon 
their  arms.  And,  it  muft  be  owned  in  this  view,. it  could 
be  no  more  improper  for  him,  than  for  the  chaplains 
who  are  now  appointed  to  accompany  regiments  in  their 
campa;gns,  or  to  fail  in  ihips  of  war.  Perhaps,  no  or- 
der of  men  require  ihftrudtfon  in  religious  duties  more 
than  foldiers,  who  have  always,  in  actual  fervice,  the 
profpecl  of  death  before  them,  and  who  certainly  cannot- 
be  the  worfe,  either  in  morality  or  courage,  for  being 
prepared  for  it.  It  may  be  added,  that  Zuinglius  went 
not  forth  of  his  own  accord  :  He  was  abfolutely  enforced 
and  commanded  by  the  fen  ate,  in  point  of  duty.  He  did 
not  go  forth  /  as  a  captain  or  commander  of  the  army, 

6  but 


ZUINGLIUS. 


119 


*  but  as  a  good   citizen   and  faithful  paftor,  who  would 

*  notforfake  his  friends  in  their  greateit  peril ;  nay,  he 
c  went  (fays  Melchior  Adam)  as  a  perfiuu'er  01  peace. 
'  About  three  hundred  and  eighty  of  his  friends  fell  with 
'  him.'  The  action  was  on  the  1  ith  of  October,  in  the 
year  1 53  1. 

(  During  the  hurry  of  the  fight,  Zuinglius,  overwhel- 
'  med  by  the  prefs  of  the  ruihing  enemy,  was  thrice 
'  thrown  down,  and  recovered  his  feet  as  often.  At  lair, 
'  a  weapon,  doomed  to  extinguilh  one  of  the  molt  valiia- 
c  bio  lives  that  ever  added  luiture  to  religion  and  learning, 
'  entering  under  his  chin,   transfixed    his  throat.      The 

*  holy  man,  falling  tirft  on  his  knees,  and  then  finking 
'  to  the  ground,  uttered  thefe  noble  ientences  :  Ecquid 
1  hoc  infirtunli  P  Can  this  be  considered  as  a  cala- 
'  MITY  ?  Jge,  corpus  quidan  decider e pojjunt  ;  ar.imam  non 
(  poffitnt .-  Well,  they  are  able,  indeed,  to  slay 
'  THE  body:  But  they  are  not  able  to  kill  the 
'■•  soul.     Could  any  thing  be  more  truly  Chriftian,  more 

*  divinely  triumphant,  more  fublimely  philofophic?' 

The  works  of  Zuinglius,  and  an  apology  for  his  doc- 
trine, were  published  by  Rodolphus  Gualterus,  in  four 
volumes  folio.  The  Switzers  paid  the  utmoft  gratitude 
to  his  memory ;  and  his  remains  were  interred  with  all 
the  pomp  of  a  Grecian  funeral,  for  a  man  who  had  devot- 
ed his  life  to  the  fervice  of  his  country. 


WILLIAM 


[        120        ] 


^^r==a—  . a =^^^=— jg^gg 


WILLIAM    TINDALE. 


TT7ILLIAM  TINDALE,  a  learned  and  zealous 
V  V  Englifh  Reformer,  and  memorable  for  having 
made  the  firft  verfion  of  the  bible  in  modern  Englifh,  was 
born  on  the  borders  of  Wales,  fometime  before  the  year 
1500.  He  was  of  Magdalen-hall  -in  Oxford,  where  he 
dii'tinguiihed  himfelf,  not  only  by  his  literary  abilities,  but 
alfo'by  imbibing  early  the  doctrines  of  the  reformation, 
which  were  begun  to  be  fpread  in  many  parts  of  England. 
He  applied  himfelf  with  great  diligence  to  the  ftudy  of 
the  fcriptures,  which  he  did  not  perufe  as  a  mere  fcholar 
or  felf-iufficient  f peculating  but  in  the  way,  which  divine 
grace  alone  induces  and  makes  profitable,  namely,  with 
a  meek  and  humble  fpirit;  craving  for  heavenly  vvifdom 
in  a  fenie  of  the  want  of  it,  and  not  bringing  human  wit 
or  reafon  in  order  to  meafure  the  divine.  Nor  was  he 
fatisfied  to  hide  his  candle  under  a  bujhel,  and  to  keep  what 
he  learned  by  grace  to  himfelf.  He  took  great  pains,  pri- 
vately, to  read  divinity  to  feveral  ftudents  and  fellows  of 
the  Hall,  and  to  initruct  them  in  the  knowledge  and  truth 
of  the  fcriptures ;  on  account  of  which  and  his  upright 
life  and  conversation,  he  was  held  in  the  higheifc  eiti- 
m  at  ion. 

Having  taken  his  degrees,  he  afterwards  removed  to 
Cambridge,  and  from  thence,  after    Jfowe  time,  he  went 

to 


T  I  N  D  A  L  E.  121 

to  live  with  a  gentleman  (Mr.  Welch)  iri  Glouceflerfhire, 
in  the  capacity  of  tutor  to  his  children.  While  he  con- 
tinued there,  he  had  frequent  difputes  with  abbots  and 
doctors,  who  vihted  the  family,  both  about  learned  men, 
divinity,  and  the  fcriptiires.  One  day  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Welch  went  to  return  a  vilit,  where  feveral  of  thofe  dig- 
nitaries converted  with  all  freedom,  Mr-  Tindalenot  beino- 
prelent  :  And  in  the  evening,  they  returned  full  of  argu- 
ments againft  Mr.  Tindale,  all  which  he  anfwered  by 
fcripture,  maintaining  the  truth,  and  reproving  their  falfe 
opinions.  Upon  which  Mrs.  Welch  (who  was,  fays  Tin- 
dale,  a  fenlible  woman)  brake  out  in  the  following  ex- 
clamation ;  '  Well,  there  was  doctor  ****^  who  can 
4  fpend  a  hundred  pounds  ;  there  was  doclor  ****,  who 
'  can  ipend  two  hundred  pounds  ;  and  doclor  ****,  who 

*  can  fpend  three  hundred  pounds  ;  and,  what,  is  it  rea- 

*  fon,  think  you,  that  we  mould  believe  you  before  them?' 
Mr.  Tindale  made  no  reply,  and  in  future  fpake  lefs  of 
thofe  matteas. 

At  this  time  he  was  tranflating  a  book  of  Erafmus,  en- 
titled Enchiridion  militis  Chri/Iiani,  which,  when  finiihed, 
he  gave  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Welch,  who  carefully  perufed  it; 
and,  it  feems,  were  fo  far  convinced  of  the  truth,  in  op- 
pofition  to  the  popiih  doctrines  of  the  abbots  and  priefts, 
that  thefe  gentlemen  afterwards  met  with  a  very  cool  re- 
ception at  their  houfe,  and  foon  declined  their  vifits  alto- 
gether. 1  his,  as  it  was  natural  to  fuppofe,  brought  upon 
Mr.  Tindale  the  wrath  of  all  the  popifh  clergy  in  the 
neighbourhood,  who  fcon  had  him  accufed  of  many  he- 
rehes  to  the  bifhop's  chancellor,  before  whom  he  had  been 
cited  to  appear ;  but  nothing  being  proved,  after  railing 
at  him  and  abuling  him,  they  difmhTed  him.  In  his  way- 
home  he  called  upon  a  certain  doclor,  who  had  b? 
old  chancellor  to  a  bilhop,  and  his  very  good  friend ;  to 
him  he  opened  his  heart,  and  confulted  him  upon  many 
paiTages  of  fcripture.  Before  they  parted  the  doclor  faid 
L  to 


122  T  1  N  D  A  L  E. 

to  him,  i  Do  you  not  know,  that  the  pope  is  very  anii- 
'  chriit,  whom  the  fcripture  fpeaketh  of?  But  beware 
'  what  you  fay  ;  for   if  it  Ihould  be  known  you   are  of 

*  jtjnat  opinion,  it  will  coil  you  your  life  :'  And  added, 
'  1  have  been  an  officer  of  his ;  but  I  have  given  it  up, 
'  and  defy  him  and  all  his  works. ' 

Not  long  after  this  affair,  Mr.  Tindale  fell  in  company 
. with  a  certain  divine,  remarkable  for  his  learning,  with 
whom  he  difputed,  and  drave  him  fo  clofe,  that  at  length 
the  divine  blafphemoufly  cried  out ;  '  We  had  .better  be 

*  without  God's  laws  than  the  pope's.'  Tindale,  fired  at 
this  expreilion,  and  filled  with  zeal,  replied,  "  I  defy  the 
"  pope  and  all  his  laws;"  and  added,  "  That  if  God 
if  fpared  his  life,  e'er  many  years,  he  would  caufe  a  boy 
"  that  drives  the  plough  to  know  more  of  the  fcriptures 
"  than  he  did."  After  this,  the  hatred  of  the  prieih  was 
fo  great,  that  he  was  obliged  to  leave  the  country,  which 
lie  did,  with  the  confent  and  hearty  wifhes  of  Mr.  Wellh 
for  his  welfare.  Mr.  Tindale,  remembering  the  high 
commendations  Erafmus  had  given  of  Tonitai's  learning, 
then  bifhop  of  London,  hoped  he  ihould  find  favour  and 
protection  with  him;  but,  as  this  was  not  the ?  way 
God,  in  his  providence,  had  marked  out  for  him,  the 
bifhop  excufed  himfelf,    faying,    *  That   his  houfe   was 

■  '  full,  that  he  had  already  more  than  he  could  accommo- 
\  date,  but  that  he  advifed  him  to  feek  about  in  London, 
6  where  he  could  not   fail  to  obtain. employment.' 

Mr.  Tindale  remained  in  London  about  a  year,  when 
being  defirous  to  tranflate  the  New  Teftament  into  Eng- 
hfli,  as  the  mod:  effectual  means  (in  his  own  opinion  and 
in  that  of  his  dear  friend  John  Frith)  to  remedy  the  great 
darknefs  and  ignorance  of  the  land,  but  judging  it  could 
not  fafely  be  done  in  England  ;  he,  by  the  kind  affiflance 
of  Mr.  Humphry  Monmouth  and  others,  went  into  Ger- 
many, where  he  laboured  upon  the  work,  and  fmiihed  it 
in  the  year  1527.      In  a  letter  to  Frith,  he  fays  of  it; 

"  I 


T  I  N  D  A  L  E.  123 

11  I  call  GOD  to  recorde  agaynft  the  daye  we  Hull  a- 
u  peare  before  our  Lord  Jefus,  to  geve  a  reckenyng  of 
u  our  doynoes,  that  I  never  altered  one  fyllable  of  God's 
11  word  agaynft  my  conscience,  nor  would  this  d  <ye,  if 
"  all  that  is  in  the  earth,  whether  it  be  plealure,  honour, 
11  or  riches,  might  be  geven  me."  It  was  the//>;//tranf- 
lation  of  the  fcripture  into  modern  English.-  He  then -began 
with  the  Old  Tell  anient,  and  finiihed  the  five  books  of 
Moles,  prefixing  excellent  difcourfes  to  each  book,  as  he 
had  done  to  thole  of  the  New  Teftament.  Cranmer's 
Bible,  or  (as  it  was  called)  the  Great  Biulf,  was  no 
other  than  Tindale's  reviled  and  corrected,  omitting  the 
prologues  and  tables,  and  adding  fcripture  references  and 
a  fummary  of  contents.  At  his  firft  goingover  into  Ger- 
many, he  went  into  Saxony,  and  had  much  conference 
with  Luther  and  other  learned  men  ;  and  then  returning 
to  the  Netherlands,  made  his  abode  at-  .Antwerp,  at  that 
time  a  very  populous  and  flouriihing  city. 

About  the  time  he  had  finiihed  his  translation  of  the 
book  cf  Deuteronomy, he  had  alfo  prepared  for  the  prefs  a 
work  concerning  the  nature  ofihefacraimnt,  or  (as  it  was 
then  called)  the  altar ;  but  wifely  conhdering,  that  the 
people  were  not  yet  fully  convinced  of  the  abfurdity  of 
many  fuperititious  ceremonies  and  grofs  idolatries,  and 
that  the  mafs  was  every  where  held  in  the  fame  estimation, 
as  the  great  goddefs  Diana  had  been  amongft  the  Ephe- 
iians,  which  they  thought  came  down  from  heaven  ;  he 
therefore  judged  it  might  be  more  feafonable,  and  would 
anfwer  the  end  more  fully,  at  fome  future  period.  And  he 
alfo  wrote  a  very  valuable  tract  upon  the  obedience  of  a 
Chrifiian  man,  and  likewife  his  expositions  of  fcripture,  Sec. 
Kefet  fail  in  the  mean  time  to  Hamburgh,  with  a  view  to 
print  his  hit  finiihed  tranfiation  of  the  icriptures ;  but 
being  ihipwrecked  on  the  coaft  of  Holland,  he  loft  all  his 
books  and  papers.  However,  going  in  another  ihip  to 
Hamburgh,  he  met  with  Mr.  Coverdale,  who  adifted  him 

in 


124  TINDAL  E. 

in  tranflating  again  the  five  bocks  of  Mofes,  both  of  them 
being  entertained  in  the  houfe  of  a  widow  gentlewoman, 
Mrs.  Margaret  Van  Emerfon.  This  was  in  the  year  1527, 
when  the  fweating-ficknefs  very  much  prevailed  in  that 
place. 

Having  finimed  the  printing  of  thefe  books,  he  returned 
again  to  Antwerp ;  and  his  tranflation  of  the  fcrip- 
tures, being  in  the  mean  time  fent  to  England,  made  a 
great  noife  there  as  well  as  in  Germany  ;  and,  in  the  opi- 
nion of  the  bifhops  and  clergy,  did  fo  much  mifchief  (as 
they  were  pleafed  to  call  it)  that  they  railed  againit  and 
condemned  them  for  containing  a  thoufand  heretics,  and 
urged — that  k  was  impoiiible  for  the  fcriptures  to  be 
tranllated  into  Engiifh — -and  that  it  was  neither  lawful 
nor  expedient  for  the  laity  to  have  the  fcriptures  in  their 
mother-tongue.  Nor  could  they  refl;  till, by  their  intereft, 
they  had  procured  a  royal  proclamation  to  be  iiiued  out, 
-prohibiting  the  buying  or  reading  fuch  tranflation  or 
translations.  This  proclamation  was  publifhed  in  1527, 
foon  after  the  publication  of  Tindale's  New  Tellament, 
which  gave  the  loudeft  alarm  ;  and  in  the  fame  edict,  as 
well  as  by  the  public  prohibitions  of  the  biihops,  feveral 
other  treatiies  were  cried  down,  written  by  Luther,  and 
other  reformers.  But  all  this  only  ferved,  as  is  uiual  in 
fuch  cafes,  to  increafe  the  public  curioiity,  and  to  occafion 
a  more  careful  reading  of  what  was  deemed  fo  extremely 
obnoxious.  One  ftep  taken  by  the  bilhop  of  London  af- 
forded fome  merriment  to  the  proteltants.  His  lordfhip 
thought,  that  the  beft  way  to  prevent  thefe  Engiifh  New 
Teflaments  from  circulation,  would  be  to  buy  up  the 
whole  impreflion,  and  therefore  employed  a  Mr.  Packing- 
ton,  who  fecretly  favoured  the  reformation,  than  at  Ant- 
werp, for  this  purpofe,  alluring  him  at  the  fame  time, 
that,  colt  what  they  would,  he  would  have  them,  and 
burn  them  all  at  Paul's  Crofs.  Upon  this,  Packington 
applied  himfelf  toTindale,  and;  upon  agreement,  the  biifh- 

°P 


T  I  N  D  A  L  E.  125 

ep  had  the  books,  Packington  great  thanks,  and  Tindale 
all  the  money.  This  enabled  our  reformer  inftantly  to 
publifh  a  new  and  more  correft  edition,  fo  '  that  they 
t  came  over  (lays  Mr.  Fox)  thick  and  threefold  into  Eng- 
'  land.'  This  occafioned  extreme  rage  in  the  difappoint- 
ed  biihop  and  his  popifli  friends.  One  Conftantine  being 
loon  after  apprehended  by  Sir  Thomas  More,  and  being 
afked  how  Tindale  and  others  fubfifted  abroad,  readily 
anfwered,  That  it  was  the  biihop  of  London  who  had 
been  their  chief  fupporter,  for  he  beftowed  a  great  deal 
of  money  upon  them  in  the  purchafe  of  New  Teftaments 
to  burn  them,  and  that  upon  that  calh  they  had  fubfift- 
ed,   till  the  laie  of  the  fecond  edition  was  received. 

However,  Tindale's  perfecutors,  concerned  for  all  that 
was  dear  to  them,  namely,  thfiir  furfe  and  their  belly,  did 
not  reft  here;  for,  as  they  perceived  him  to  be  a  very  able 
man,  and  if  luffered  to  live,  capable  of  doing  immenfe 
harm  to  their  craft ,  they  lent  over  to  Antwerp  one  Phi- 
lips, who  infmuated  himfelf  into  his  company,  and  under 
the  pretext  of  friendfhip  betrayed  him  into  tuftody.  He 
was  lent  prifoner  to  the  caftle  of  Filford,  about  eighteen 
liiiies  from  Antwerp  ;  and  though  the  Englilh  merchants 
at  Antwerp  did  what  they  could  to  procure  his  releaie, 
and  letters  were  fent  from  lord  Cromwell  and  others  out 
of  England,  yet  Philips  beftirred  himfelf  fo  heartily,  that 
Tindale  was  tried  and  condemned  to  die.  Ke  was  brought 
to  the  place  of  execution,  and  while  he  was  tying  to  the 
flake  he  cried  with  a  fervent  and  loud  voice,  "  Lord,  open 
u  the  king  of  England's  eyes."  He  was  firft  ftrangled 
by  the  hands  of  the  common  hangman,  and  then  burned 
near  Filford-caftle,  in  the  year  1536.  And  thus  he, 
whom  Fox,  with  the  ntmoft  propriety,  flyles  '  England's 
'  Apoftie/  reited  from  his  labours  and  troubles,  and  en- 
tered into  the  joy  of  his  Lord. 

He    was    a    perfon     of    feraphic   piety,    indefatigable 

ftudy,  and  extraordinary  learning.     Kis    modefty,  zeal, 

L  2  and 


i26  T  I  N  D  A  L  E. 

and  difintereftednefs,  were  fo  great,  that  be  declared, 
before  he  went  to  Germany,  that  he  fnould  be  content 
"  to  live  in  any  county  of  England,  on  an  allowance 
"  of  ten  pounds  per  annum,  and  bind  himfelf  to  receive 
ct  no  more,  if  he  might  only  have  authority  to  in- 
ff  ftrutt  children  and  preach  the  gofpel."  His  un- 
common abilities  and  learning,  which,  joined  to  great 
warmth  and  flrmnefs  of  nature,  and  to  true  faith  and  gqf- 
pel-zeal,  qualified  him  exceedingly  well  for  the  office  of 
a  reformer.  Such  was  GOD's  bleiiing  upon  his  true 
I  and  faithful  preaching,  that,  during  the  time  of  his  im- 
prifonment  (which  halted  a  year  and  a  half)  he  converted 
his  gaoler,  his  daughter,  and  many  of  his  houihold.  Nay, 
the  procurer  general,  or  emperor's  attorney,  publickly 
laid  of  him,  that  he  was  a  learned,  pious,  and  good  man- 
The  good  biihop  Bale  alfo  fays  of  him,  that  for  knowledge, 
purity  of  doctrine,  and  holinefs  of  life,  he  ought  to  be 
efteemed  the  next  Englifh  reformer  after  Wickliife,  and 
that  he  was  born  for  the  converfion  and  edification  of 
many  fouls.  His  picture  reprefents  him  with  a  bible  in 
his  hand,  and  this  diilich  ; 

Hac  tit  luce  iuas  dif-pergam,  Roma,  tcnebras, 
Sponte  extorris  ero ,/ponie  facrificium. 

That  light  o'er  all  thy  darknefs,  Rome, 

With  triumph  might  arife  ; 
An  exile  freely  I  become, 

Freely  a  facrifice. 

The  works  which  he  wrote,  befides  the  tranflation  of 
the  fcriptures,  were  publifhed  in  one  volume. 

The  remains  of  fuch  men,  when  they  are  but  few,  are 
the  mere  defirable  and  precious.  We  will,  therefore, 
iniert  (as  they  difcover  the  fpirit  and  temper  of  this  good 
man)  the  three  letters  abovementioned,  preserved  by  Mr. 

Fox, 


TINDAL  E.  127 

Fox;  and  efpecially  as  his  voluminous  writings  are  not 
in  the  poffenion,  or  within  the  purchafe,  of  many  fericus 
perfons. 

I. 

THE  grace  and  peace  of  God  our  Father,  and  of 
Jefus  Chriit  our  Lord,  be  with  you,  Amen.  Dear- 
ly beloved  brother  John,  1  have  heard  fay,  how  the  hy- 
pocrites, now  that  they  have  overcome  that  great  bubneis 
which  letted  them,  or  at  the  lealt  have  brought  it  to  a 
ftay,  return  to  their  old  nature  again.  The  will  of  God 
be  fulfilled,  and  that  which  he  hath  ordained  to  be  ere  the 
world  was  made,  that  come,  and  his  glory  reign  over 
all. 

Dearly  beloved,  however  the  matter  be,  commit  your- 
felf  wholly  and  only  unto  your  mod  loving  Father,  and 
mod  kind  Lord  ;  fear  not  men  that  threat,  nor  truft  men 
thafipeak  fair  :  But  truft  him  that  is  true  of  promife,  awd 
able  to  make  his  word  good.  Your  cauie  is  Chriit's  gof- 
pel,  a  light  that  mult  be  fed  with  the  oil  of  faith.  The 
lamp  mult  be  dreffed  and  fnulfecj  daily,  and  that  oil  poured 
in  every  evening  and  morning,  that  the  light  go  not  out. 
Though  we  be  Tinners,  yet  is  the  caufe  right.  If  when 
we  be  buffeted  for  well  doing,  we  fuffer  patiently  and 
endure,  that  is  acceptable  with  God.  For  to  that  end 
we  are  called.  For  Chrift  alfo  fuffex*ed  for  us,  leaving 
us  an  example  that  we  lhould  follow  his  fteps,  who  did 
not  fin.  Hereby  have  we  perceived  love,  that  he  laid 
down  his  life  for  us ;  therefore  we  ought  alio  to  lay  down 
our  lives  for  the  brethren.  Rejoice  and  be  glad,  for  great 
is  your  reward  in  heaven.  For  we  fuffer  with  him,  that 
we  may  alfo  be  glorified  with  him  :  Who  fhall  change 
our  vile  body,  that  it  may  be  fafnioned  like  unto  his  glori- 
ous body,  according  to  the  working  whereby  he  is  able 
even  to  fubdue  all  things  unto  himfelf. 

Dearly  beloved,  be  Osgood  courage,  and  comfort  vour 

'  fowl 


123  T  I  N  D  A  L  E. 

foul  with  the  hope  of  this  high  reward,  and  bear  the 
image  of  Chr ift  in  your  mortal  body,  that  it  may  at  his 
coming  be  made  like  to  his  immortal  body  ;  and  follow  the 
example  of  all  your  other  dear  brethren,  which  chofe  to 
fuffer  in  hope  of  a  better  refurre&ion.  Keep  your  con- 
ference pure  and  undented,  and  fay  againft  that  nothing. 
Stick  at  neceffary  things,  and  remember  the  blafphemies. 
of  the  enemies  of  Chriit,  faying,  they  find  none  but  who 
will  abjure  rather  than  fuffer  the  extremity.  Moreover, 
the  death  of  them  that  come  again  after  they  have  once 
denied,  though  it  be  accepted  with  God,  and  all  that  be- 
lieve, yet  it  is  not  glorious  :  For  the  hypocrites  fay,  he 
mud  needs  die,  denying  helpeth  not.  But  might  It  have 
holpen,  they  would  have  denied  five  hundred  times,  but 
feeing  it  would  not  help  them,  therefore  of  pure  pride 
and  meer  malice  together,  they  fpake  with  their  mouths 
what  their  confeience  knoweth  falfe.  If  you  give  your- 
felf,  caft  yourfelf,  yield  yourfelf,  commit  yourielf  wholly 
and  only  to  your  loving  Father,  then  ihall  his  power  be 
in  you  and  make  you  ftrong,  that  you  mall-feel  no  pain, 
which  ihould  be  to  another  prefent  death  :  And  his  Spirit 
fhall  fpeak  in  you,  and  teach  you  what  to  anfwer,  accor- 
ding to  hispromife:  He  ihall  fet  out  his  truth  by  you 
wonderfully,  and  work  for  you  above  all  that  your  heart 
can  imagine  ;  yea  and  you  are  not  yet  dead,  though  the 
hypocrites  all,  with  all  that  they  can  make,  have  fworn 
your  death.  Unafalus  vl6iis  nullamfperarefalutem;  To 
look  for  no  man's  help,  bringeth  the  help  of  God  to  them 
that  feem  to  be  overcome  in  the  eyes  of  the  hypocrites  : 
Yea,  it  fhall  make  God  to  carry  you  thorow  thick  and 
thin  for  his  truth's  fake,  in  fpite  of  all  the  enemies  of  his 
truth.  There  falleth  not  a  hair  till  his  hour  be  come ; 
and  when  his  hour  is  come,  necefiity  carrieth  us  hence 
though  we  be  not  willing.  But  if  we  be  willing,  then 
have  we  a  reward  and  thank. 

Fear  not  the  threatning  therefore,   neither  be  over- 
come 


T  I  N  D  A  L  E.  129 

come  of  fweet  words ;  with  which  twain  the  hypocrite* 
ihall  atTail  you.  Neither  let  the  perfualions  of  worldly 
wifdom  bear  rule  in  your  heart,  no,  though  they  be 
your  friends  that  couniel  you.  Let  Bilney  be  a  warning 
to  you,  let  not  their  vizor  beguile  your  eyes.  Let  not 
your  body  faint.  He  that  endureth  to  the  end  will  be 
laved.  If  the  pain  be  above  your  ftrength,  remember, 
Whatfoever  ye  Jhall  afk  in  my  name,  I  will  give  it  you*  And 
pray  to  your  Father  in  that  name,  and  he  {hall  ceaie  your 
pain,  or  fhorten  it.  The  Lord  of  peace,  of  hope,  and  of 
faith,  be  with  you,  Amen. 

William  Tindale. 

II. 

TWO  have  fufFered  in  Antwerp,  in  die  fancies  cruets  y 
unto  the  great  glory  of  the  gofpel ;  four  at  Ryiels 
in  Flanders  ;  and  at  Luke  hath  there  one  at  lea  ft  fuffered, 
and  all  the  fame  day.  At  Roan  in  France  they  perfecute. 
And  at  Paris  are  five  doctors  taken  for  the  gofpel.  See, 
you  are  not  alone  ;  be  cheerful  and  remember  that  among 
the  hard-hearted  in  England,  there  is  a  number  referved 
by  grace  :  For  whofe  fakes,  if  need  be,  you  rauft  be  ready 
to  fufter.  Sir,  if  you  may  write,  how  ihort  foever  it  be, 
forget  it  not,  that  we  may  know  how  it  goeth  with  you, 
for  our  heart's  eafe.  The  Lord  be  yet  again  with  you, 
with  all  his  plenteoufnefs,  and  fill  you  that  you  flow  over, 
Amen. 

If  when  you  have  read  this,  you  can  fend  it  to  Adrian  ; 
do  I  pray  you,  that  he  may  know  how  that  our  heart  is 
with  you. 

George  Joy  at  Candlemas  being  at  Barrow  printed  two 
leaves  of  Genefis  in  a  great  form,  and  fent  one  copy  to  the 
king,  and  another  to  the  new  queen,  with  a  letter  to  N. 
to  deliver  them  ;  and  to  purchafe  hcenie,  that  he  might 

fo 


i3o  TINDALE. 

fo  go  through  all  the  bible.  Out  of  this  is  fprung  the 
noife  of  the  new  bible ;  and  out  of  that  is  the  great  feek- 
ingfor  Engliih  books  at  all  printers  and  book-binders  in 
Antwerp,  and  for  an   Engliih  prieit  that  mould  print. 

This  chanced  the  ninth  day  of  May. 

Sir,  your  wife  is  well  content  with  the  will  of  God, 
and  would  not  for  her  fake  have  the  glory  of  God 
kindred. 

William  Tindale." 

III. 


a 


The  grace  of  our  Saviour  jefus,  his  patience,  meek- 
nefs,  humblenefs,  circumipecuon,  and  wifdom,  be 
with  your  heart,  Amen. 

x^EARL  Y  beloved  brother,  mine  hearts  defire  in  our 
Saviour  Jefus,  is  that  you  arm  yourfeif  with  with  patience, 
and  be  cool,  fober,  wife,  and  circumfpect,  and  that  you 
keep  you  a  low  by  the  ground,  avoiding  high  questions, 
that  pafs  the  common  capacity.  But  expound  the  law 
truly,  and  open  the  vail  of  Mofes  to  condemn  ailflelh,  and 
prove  all  men  finuers,  and  all  deeds  under  the  law,  be- 
fore mercy  have  taken  away  the  condemnation  thereof,  to 
be  fin  and  damnable,  and  then,  as  a  faithful  minifter,  let 
abroach  the  mercy  of  our  Lord  Jefus,  and  let  the  wound- 
ed confeiences  drink  of  the  water  of  life.  And  then  fhall 
your  preaching  be  with  power,  and  not  as  the  doctrine  of 
the  hypocrites  ;  and  the  Spirit  of  God  ihall  work  with  you, 
and  all  confeiences  mall  bear  record  unto  you,  and  feel 
that  it  is  fo.  And  all  doctrine  that  cafteth  a  mill  on  thofe 
two,  to  ihaclovv  and  hide  them,  1  mean  the  law  of  God, 
and  mercy  of  Chrift,  that  refill  you  with  all  your  power. 
Sacraments  without  fignifications  refufe.  If  they  put 
fign ifications  to  them,  receive  them,  if  you  fee  it  may- 
help,  though  it  be  not  neceflary. 

Of  the  prefence  cf  Chrift' s  body  in  the  facrament,  med- 
dle 


T  I  N  D  A  L  E.  131 

die  as  little  asyoucan,  that  there  appear  no  divifiou  among 
us.  Barnes  will  be  hot  againftyou.  The  Saxons  be  lore 
on  the  affirmative  ;  whether  conftant  or  obftinate,  I  re- 
mit it  to  God.  Philip  Melancthon  is  faid  to  be  with  the 
French  king.  There  be  in  Antwerp  that  fay,  they  law 
him  come  into  Paris  with  an  hundred  and  fiffiy  horfes, 
and  that  they  fpake  with  him.  If  .the  French  men  re- 
ceive the  word  of  God,  he  will  plant  the  affirmative  in 
them.  George  Joy  would  have  put  forth  a  treatife  of 
that  matter,  but  I  have  ftopt  him  as  yet :  What  he  will 
do  if  he  get  money,  I  wot  not.  I  believe  he  would  make 
many  reafons  little  ferving  to  that  purpofe  :  My  mind  is, 
that  nothing  be  put  forth  till  we  hear  how  you  (hall  have 
fped.  I  would  have  the  right  ufe  preached,  and  the  pre- 
sence to  be  an  indifferent  thing,  till  the  matter  might  be 
reaibned  in  peace  at  leifure  of  both  parties.  If  you  be 
required,  mew  the  phrafes  of  the  fcripture,  and  let  them 
talk  what  they  will.  For  as  to  believe  that  God  is  every 
where,  hurteth  no  man  that  worihippeth  him  no  where 
but  within  the  heart,  in  fpirit  and  verity  :  Even  ih  to 
believe,  that  the  body  of  Chrift  is  every  where  (though  it 
cannot  be  proved)  hurteth  no  man,  that  worihippeth  him 
no  where  fave  in  the  faith  of  his  gofpel.  You  perceive  my 
mind  :  Howbeit,  if  God  ihew  you  otherwife,  it  is  free  for 
you  to  do  as  he  moveth  you. 

I  gueffed  long  ago,  that  God  would  fend  a  dazing  into 
the  heaci  of  the  fpiritualty,  to  catch  themfelves  in  their 
own  lubtilty,  and  truif.  it  is  come  to  pafs.  And  now  me 
thinketh  I  fmell  a  counfel  to  be  taken,  little  for  their  pro- 
fits in  time  to  come.  But  you  rauft  underfland,  that  it  is 
not  of  a  pure  heart  and  for  love  of  the  truth,  but  to 
avenge  themfelves,  and  to  eat  the  whore's  ileih,  and  to 
fuck  the  marrow  of  her  bones.  Wherefore  cleave  fail  to 
to  the  rock  of  the  help  of  God,  and  commit  the  end  ot 
all  things  unto  him  :  And  if  God  mall  call  you,  that  you 
may  then  ufe  the  wifdom  of  the  worldly,  as  far  as  you 

perceive 


i32  TINDALE. 

perceive  the  glory  of  Gcd  may  come  thereof,  refufe  it  not; 
and  ever  among  thruft  in,  that  the  fcripture  may  be  in  the 
mother-tongue,  and  learning  fet  up  in  the  univerfities. 
But  if  ought  be  required  contrary  to  the  glory  of  God,  and 
his  Chrift,  then  ftand  faft,  and  commit  yourfelf  to  God, 
and  be. not  overcome  of  men's  perfuafions  ;  which  haply 
fhall  fay,  We  fee  no  other  way  to  bring  in  the  truth. 

Brother,  beloved  in  my  heart,  there  liveth  not  in  whom 
I  have  fo  good  hope  and  truft,  and  in  whom  my  heart  re- 
joiceth,  and  my  i'oul  comforteth  herfelf,  as  in  you ;  not 
the  thoufand  part  fo  much  for  your  learning,  and  what 
other  gifts  elfe  you  have,  as  becaufe  you  will  creep  a  low 
by  the  ground,  and  walk  in  thofe  things  that  the  confer- 
ence may  feel,  and  not  in  the  imaginations  of  the  brain  : 
In  fear,  and  not  in  boldnefs :  In  open  neceffary  things, 
and  not  to  pronounce  or  define  of  hid  fecrets,  or  things 
that  neither  help  nor  hinder,  whether  it  be  fo  or  no  ; 
in  unity,  and  not  in  feditious  opinions  :  Infomuch  that  if 
you  be  fare  you  know,  yet  in  things  that  may  abide  leifure 
you  will  defer,  or  fay  (till  other  agree  with  you)  Me- 
thinks  the  text  requireth  the  fenfeor  underftanding.  Yea, 
and  if  you  be  fure  that  your  part  be  good,  and  another 
hold  the  contrary,  yet  if  it  be  a  thing  that  maketh  no  mat- 
ter, you  will  laugh  and  let  it  pafs,  and  refer  the  thing  to 
other  men,  and  ftick  you  ftifly  and  ftubbornly  in  earned 
and  neceffary  things.  And  I  truft  you  be  perfuaded 
even  fo  of  me  :  For  I  call  God  to  record  againft  the  day 
we  fhall  appear  before  our  Lord  Jefus,  to  give  a  reckon- 
ing of  our  doings,  that  I  never  altered  one  fyllable  of 
God's  word  againft.  my  confeience,  nor  would  this  day,  if 
all  that  is  in.  the  earth,  whether  it  be  pleaiure,  honour, 
or  riches,  might  be  given  me.  Moreover,  I  take  God  to 
record  to  my  confeience,  that  I  defi-re  of  God  to  myfelf  in 
this  world,  no  more  than  that  without  which  I  cannot 
keep  his  laws. 

Finally,  if  there  were  in  me  any  gift  that  could  help 

at 


T  I  N  D  A  L  E.  133 

at  hand,  and  aid  you  if  need  required,  I  promife  you  I 
would  not  be  far  off,  and  commit  the  end  to  God.  My 
foul  is  not  faint,  though  my  body  be  weary.  But  God 
hath  made  me  evil  favoured  in  this  world,  and  without 
grace  in  the  fight  of  men,  fpeechlefs  and  rude,  dull  and 
How  witted ;  your  part  fhall  do  to  fupply  what  lacketh 
in  me  :  Remembring,  that  as  lowlinefs  of  heart  fhall  make 
you  high  with  God,  even  fo  meeknefs  of  words  mall  make 
you  fink  into  the  hearts  of  men.  Nature  giveth  age  au- 
thority, but  meeknefs  is  the  glory  of  youth,  and  giveth 
them  honour.  Abundance  of  love  maketh  me  e:<ceed  in 
bablino-. 

Sir,  as  concerning  purgatory  and  many  other  things, 
if  you  be  demanded,  you  may  fay,  if  you  err,  the  fpiritu- 
alty  hath  fo  led  you,  and  that  they  have  taught  you  to  be- 
lieve as  you  do.  I'or  they  preached  you  all  fuch  things 
out  of  God's  word,  and  alledged  a  thouiand  texts,  by 
rcafon  of  which  texts  you  believed  as  they  taught  you, 
but  now  you  find  them  lyers,  and  that  the  texts  mean  no 
inch  things,  and  therefore  you  can  believe  them  no  longer, 
but  are  as  ye  were  before  they  taught  you,  and  believe 
no  fuch  thing  :  Howbeit  you  are  ready  to  believe,  if  they 
have  any  other  way  to  prove  it;  for  without  proof  you 
cannot  believe  them,  when  you  have  found  them  with  fo 
many  lyes,  &c.  If  you  perceive  wherein  we  may  help, 
either  in  being  (till  or  doing  fomewhat,  let  us  have  word, 
and  I  will  do  mine  uttermoft. 

The  mighty  God  of  Jacob  be  with  you,  to  fupplant  his 
enemies,  and  give  you  the  favour  of  Jofeph,  and  the  wif- 
dom  and  the  fpirit  of  Stephen  ;  be  with  your  heart,  and 
with  your  mouth,  and  teach  your  lips  what  they  ihall  fay, 
and  how  to  anfwer  to  all  things.  He  is  our  God,  if  we 
defpair  in  ourfelves,  ancLtruft  in  him  :  And  his  is  the  glory. 
Amen. 

William  Tindale. 

January,  1533. 

M  MARTIN 


(     J34     ) 
gfeas^ i^_ — „ — ggaaaggr =^==^^g 

MARTIN     LUTHER, 

The    GREAT  REFORMER. 


IN  the  order  of  time,  we  come  now  to  treat  of  a  moft 
wonderful  man,  whom  God  railed  up  in  thefe  laft 
ages  of  the  world,  to  break  the  chain  of  iuperfiition  and 
Spiritual  fiavery,  with  which  the  biihops  of  Rome  and  their 
dependents  had,  for  many  centuries,  call  over  the  con- 
sciences of  all  men.  He  was  an  inftrument  truly  prepared 
for  this  great  work;  and  yet  but  a  mean  and  obfcure 
monk,  to  mew  us,  that  He,  who  ruleth  all  things,  ef- 
fected him felf  the  important  defign,  in  which  the  greatefl 
prince  upon  earth  would  have  undoubtedly  failed. 

The  conduct  of  the  dignified  clergy  throughout  all  Eu- 
rope, had  long  given  fcandal  to  the  world.  The  biihops 
were  grofsly  ignorant  :  They  feldom  refided  in  their  dio- 
,cefes,  except  to  riot  at  high  feflivals  :  And  all  the  effect 
their  residence  could  have,  was  to  corrupt  others, by  their 
ill  example.  Nay,  fome  of  them  could  not  fo  much  as 
write,  but  employed  fome  perfon,  or  chaplain  who  had 
attained  that  accomplishment,  to  fubfcribe  their  names 
for  them.  They  followed  the  courts  of  princes,  and 
jafpired  to  the  greateft    offices.   .  The  abbots    and  monks 

were 


LUTHER.  135 

were  wholly  given  up  to  luxury  and  idlenefs  ;  and  it  ap- 
peared, by  the  unmarried  itate  both  of  the  feculars  and 
regulars,  that  the  retraining  them  from  having  wives  of 
their  own,  made  them  conclude  they  had  a  right  to  all 
other  men's.  The  inferior  clergy  were  no  better  ;  and 
not  having  places  of  retreat  to  conceal  their  vices  in,  as 
the  monks  had,  they  became  more  public.  In  torn  ;  all 
ranks  of  churchmen  were  ib  univerfally  defpifed  and  hated, 
that  the  world  was  very  apt  to  be  pofiened  with  prejudice 
againft  their  doctrines,  for  the  fake  of  the  men  whofe  in- 
tereit  it  was  to  fupport  them  :  And  the  worfnip  of  God 
was  for  defiled  with  grois  fuperftition,  that,  without  great 
enquiries,  all  men  are  eafily  convinced,  that  the  church 
flood  in  great  need  of  a  reformation.  This  was  much 
increafed  when  fcripture  and  the  books  of  the  fathers 
were  rendered  common  by  the  art  of  printing,  and  began 
to  be  read,  in  which  the  difrerer.ee  between  the  former 
and  later  ages  of  the  church  very  evidently  appeared. 
They  found,  that  a  blind  fuperftition  came  iiril  in  the 
room  of  true  piety  ;  and  when,  by  its  means,  the  wealth 
and  intereit  of  the  clergy  were  highly  advanced,  the  popes 
had  upon  that  eflablilhed  their  tyranny  ;  under  which, 
not  only  the  meaner  people,  but  even  the  crowned  heads, 
had  long  groaned.  All  thefe  things  concurred  to  make 
way  for  the  advancement  of  the  reformation. 

Wickliffe,  Hufs,  Jerom  of  Prague,  and  others,  had  laid 
the  feeds  of  the  reformation,  which  Luther  nouriihed  with 
great  warmth.  The  fcandalous  extolling  of  indulgences 
gave  the  fir  ft  occaiion  to  all  the  contradiction  that  fol- 
lowed between  Luther  and  the  church  of  Rone  ;  in  which 
if  the  corruptions  and  cruelty  of  the  clergy  had  not  been 
io  vilible  and  fcandalous,  fo  final!  a  matter  could  not 
have  produced  filch  a  revolution :  But  any  criiis  will  put 
iil  humonfs  into  a  ferment. 

As  protectants,  we  are  certainly  much  obliged  to  Eraf- 
mus;  yet   we  are  far  more  obliged,  under  God,  to  thofe 

.       great 


136  L     U     T     H     E     R. 

great  infl-ruments  of  the  reformation,  viz.  Luther,  Zu~ 
inglius,  Oecolampadius,Bucer,  Melancthon,  Cranmer,  and 
others.  The  greateft.  enemies  of  Luther  cannot  deny,  but 
that  he  had  eminent  qualities;  and  hiftory  affords  nothing 
more  furprizing  than  what  he  had  done:  For  a  iimple 
monk  to  be  able  to  give  popery  fo  rude  a  mock,  that 
there  needed  but'  fuch  another  entirely  to  overthrow  the 
Romilh  church,  is  what  we  cannot  fulhciently  admire,  and 
marks  the  hand  of  providence  conducting  the  whole.  It 
was  faid,  with  reafon,  that  Erafmus,  by  his  railleries, pre- 
pared the  way  for  Luther  ;  and  Simon  Fontaine  the  popifn 
hiiWian,  complained,  that  Erafmus  occaiionally  had  done 
more  mifchief  than  Luther  ;  bccaufe  Luther  only  opened 
the  door  w;der,  after  Erafmus  had  picked  the  lock,  and 
half  opened  it.  -Not  withftanding  all  this,  fays  Bayle,  there 
•cirif  have  been  eminent  gifts  in  Luther  to  produce  fuch  a 
revolution  as  he  has  done. 

Martin  Luther  was  born  at  Ifleben,  a  town  in  the 
county  of  Mansfield,  in  the  circle  of  Upper  Saxony,  on 
the  tenth  of  November,  148.3.  His  father  was  called 
John  Luther,  or  Luder,  bccaufe  he  was  a  refiner  of  me- 
tals ;  for  Luder,  in  the  German  language,  has  that  fig- 
niiicaticn  :  It  is  agreed  that  his  buiinefs  war;  about  the 
mines;  and  that  he  was  the  chief  magillrate  of  the  city  of 
Mansfield.  His  mother's  name  was  Margaret  Lindeman, 
who  was  remarkable  for  her  piety. 

When  Martin  Luther  was  fourteen  years  of  age,  he 
was  lent  to  the  public fchool  of  Magdeburg,  where  he  con- 
tinued one  year,  and  was  then  removed  to  that  of  Eyfen- 
ach,  where  he  ftudied  four  years.  The  circumitances  of 
his  parents  were  at  that  time  fo  very  low,  and  fo  inluffici- 
ent  to  maintain  him,  that  he  was  forced,  as  Melchior  Adam 
retates,  to  live  by  begging  his  bread.  When  he  had 
nniihed  his  grammar  ftudies,  he  was  lent  to  the  famous 
fchool  at  Eyfenach  in  Thuringia,  for  the  fake  of  being 
among  his  mother's  relations,   where,  he   applied  himieli 

very 


C    U     T    H    E    R.  137 

tety  diligently  to  his  books  fot  four  years",  and  began  to 
difcover  all  that  force  and  ftrength  of  parts,  that  acute- 
nefs  and  penetration,  that  warm  and  rapid  eloquence, 
which  afterwards  were  attended  with  inch  amazing  iuc- 
cef  -  In  the  year  i  ro  i ,  he  was  entered  at  the  univerfity 
of  Erford  or  Erfurt,  in  Thuringia,  where  he  went  through 
a  courfe  of  philclbphy,  and  was  admitted  matter  of  arts, 
in  1503,  being  then  twenty  years  old.  He  was  fo'on  after 
made  profef.br  of  phytic,  and  ethics:  But  he  chiefly 
applied  himfelf  to  the  ftudy  of  the  civil  law,  and  intended 
to  advance  himfelf  to  the  bar,  from  which  he  was  diverted 
by  an  uncommon  accident.  •  As  he  was  walking  in  the 
fields  with  a  friend,  he  was  ftruck  by  a  thunderbolt,  which  t< 
threw  h:-m  to  the  ground,  and  killed  his  companion  : 
Whereupon  Luther  refolded  to- withdraw  from  the  world,  J 
and  enter  into  the  order  of  the  hermits  of  St.  Augulline.  I 
He  made  his  profeilion  in  the  monaftry  of  Erfurt,  where 
be  took  prieii's  orders,  and  celebrated  his  firft  mafs  in 
the  year  1507. 

It  is  reported,  that  there  was  an  old  man  in  this  mo- 
naftry,  with  whom  Luther  had  ieveral  conferences  upon 
many  theological  fubjects,  particularly  concerning  the 
article  of  remilllon  of  fins.  I  his  article  was  explained 
by  the  old  monk  to  Luther,  '  That  it  was  the  exprefs 
'  commandment  of  God,  that  every  man  fhould  believe. 
'  his  lins  to  be  forgiven  him  in  ChriuV  Luther  found 
this  interpretation  was  confirmed  by  the  teftimony  of  St. 
Bernard,  who  fays,  '  That  man  is  freely  juftified  by 
'  faithv'  He  then  perceived  the  meaning  of  St.  Paul, 
v.  hen  he  repeats,  'We  are  juftitfed  by  faith-  He  con- 
1  the  expositions  of  many  writers  upon  that  apoltle, 
:a\v  through  the  vanity  of  thofe  interpretations,  winch 
he  had  read  before  of  the  fchoolmen.     He  compared  the 

in  gs  and  examples  of  the  prophets,  and  apoftles. 

In  15085  the  univerfity   of  Wittenburg,  in  the  duchy 

of  Saxony,  was  eftablifhed  under  the  direction  of  Stau- 

IvI   2  pitiusj 


138  L     U     T     H     £     R. 


pirius,  whofe  good  opinion  of  Luther  occafioned  him  to 
lend  for  him  from  Erfurt  to  Wittenberg,  where  he  taught 
philofophy ;  and  his  lectures  were  attended  by  many 
wile  and  learned  men.  He  expounded  the  logic  and  phi- 
lofophy of  Ariifotle,  in  the  fchools  ;  and  began  to  examine 
the  old  theology,  in  the  churches. 

yW?  In  the  year  1512,  he  was  fent  to  Rome,  to  take  up 
forae  controversies  which  happened  among  his  order  ;  and 
he  conducted  himielf  fo  well  as  to  obtain  the  character  of 
prudent  man.  In  fhort,  he  fucceeded  in  his  bufinefs ; 
for  which  he  was  made  doctor  and  profefibr  of  divinity, 
-  upon  his  return  to  Wittenberg.  At  Rome  he  faw  the 
pope  and  the  court,  and  had  an  opportunity  alfo  of  obferv- 
ing  the  manners  of  the  clergy,  whofe  hafty,  iuperficial, 
and  impious  way  of  celebrating  mafs,  he  hasfeverely  not- 
ed. "  I  performed  mafs,  fays  he,  at  Rome  ;  I  faw  it 
alfo  performed  by  others,  but  in  fuch  a  manner,  that  I 
"  never  think  of  it  without  the  utmoft  horror."  He  of- 
ten fpoke  afterwards  of  his  journey  to  Rome,  and  ufed  to 
i  fay,  that  "  He  would  not  but  have  made  it  for  a  thoufand 
^  "  florins."  A  monkifh  poet  himfelf,  upon  the  view  of 
the  barefaced  iniquity  of  the  pope's  pretended  holy  city, 
could  not  help  tinging  :  *  If  you  would  live  righteouily, 
c  keep  clear  of  Rome:  For  though  her  prieils  can 
licenfe  every  thing  elle,  they  allow  of  nothing  good.' 
After  this,  he  began  to  expound  the  epiftle  to  the  Ro- 
mans, and  the  Pfalms  ;  where  he  mewed  the  difference 
between  the  law  and  the  gofpel.  He  refuted  the  error 
that  was  then  predominant  in  fchools  and  fermons ;  that 
men  may  merit  remiflion  of  fins  by  tneir'  own  proper  works. 
As  John  Baptift  demonftratcd  the  Lamb  of  God  which 
took  away  the  fins  of  the  world  :  So  Luther,  mining  in 
the  church  as  a  bright  ftar  after  an  obfcure  iky,  exprefsly 

'Vn  ihewed,  that  fins  are  freely  remitted  for  the  love  of  the 
Son  of  God,  and  that  we  ought  faithfully  to  embrace 
this  bountiful  gift. 


lis 


L     U     T     H     E     R.  i39 

His  life  was  correfpondent  to  his  pFofeffiqn  ;  and  th'efe 
happy  beginnings  of  inch  important  matter,  procured, 
him  great  authority.  However,  he  attempted  no  altera- 
tion in  the  ceremonies  of  religion,  and  interfered  in  no 
doubtful  opinions:  But  contented  himfelf  with  opening 
and  declaring  the  doctrine  of  repentance,  of  remillion  of 
fins,  of  faith,  and  of  true  comfort  in  times  of  adverlity. 
His  doctrine  was  generally  approved  by  the  learned,  who 
conceived  high  pleafure  to  behold  Jefns  Chrift,  the  pro- 
phets, and  apoftles,  to  emerge  into  the  light  out  of  dark- 
neis ;  whereby  they  began  to  understand  the  difference 
between  the  law  and  the  gofpel,  between  fpiritual 
eoutnefs.  and  civil  things.  Erafmus  revived  learning  while 
Luther  was  teaching  divinity  at  Wittenberg.  The  for- 
mer brought  the  monk's  barbarous  and  fophiftical  doctrine 
into  contempt  by  his  elegant  work  ;  which  induced  Lathes 
to  ftudy  the  Greek  and  Hebrew  languages,  that,  by  draw- 
ingthe  doctrine  from  the  very  fountains,  he  might  pais  his 
judgment  with  more  authority. 

The  firft  opportunity  that  this  great  man  had  of  un- 
folding to  the  view  of  a  blinded  and  deluded  age,  the 
truth,  which  had  (truck  his  aftonifhed  fight,  was  offered 
by  a  Dominican,  whofe  name  was  John  Tetzel.  This 
bold  and  enterpriling  monk  had  been  chofen,  on  accourr 
of  his  uncommon  impudence,,  by  Albert  archbiihop  of 
Mentz  and  Magdeburg,  to  preach  and  proclaim,  in  Ger- 
many, thofe  famous  indulgences  of  Leo  X.  which  ad- 
minidered  the  remiflion  of  all  fins,  part,  prefent,  and  to 
come,  however  enormous  their  nature,  to  thofe  who 
were  rich  enough  to  purchase  them.  The  frontlefs  monk 
executed  this  iniquitous  commiflion  not  only  with  inatch- 
lefs  infolence,  indecency,  and  fraud,  but  even  carried  his 
impiety  ibfar  as  to  derogate  from  the  all-fuificient  power 
and  influence  of  the  merits  of  Chrift.  In  defcribing  the 
efficacy  of  thefe  indulgences,.  Tetzel  faid,  among  other 
enormities,  that  even  had  any  one  ravijked  the  mother  of 


i4o-  L     U     T     H     E     R. 

Cod,  be  (Tetzel)  had 'wherewithal  to  efface  his  guilt.  He 
alio  boailc.d,  that  '  be  had  fared  move  jouls  from  hell  by 
'  thof'e  indulgences,  than  St.  Peter  had  converted  to 
*  ChriftianHy  by  his  {reaching*'  At  this,.  Luther,  unable 
to  imother  his  juft  indignation,  railed  his  warning  voice, 
and  in  ninety-five  proportions,  maintained-  publicly  at 
Wittenburg,  on  the  gctth  of  September,  -  in  the  year 
151 7,  cenfured  the  extravagant  extortion  of  thefe  queft- 
ors,  and  plainly  pointed  out  the  Roman  pontiff  as  a  par- 
taker of  their  guilt,  fince  he  fuffered  the  people  to  be 
feduced,  by  l'uch  delufions,  from  placing  their  principal 
confidence  in  Chrift,  the  only  proper  object  of  their  truif. 
This  was  the  commencement  and  foundation  of  that  me- 
morable rupture  and  revolution  in  the  church,  which 
humbled  the  grandeur  of  the  lordly  poutitfs>  and  eclipied 
fo  great  a  port  of  their  glory* 

This,  debate  between  Luther  and  Tetzel  was,  at  fir  ft, 
a  matter  of  no  great  moment*  and  might  have  been  ter- 
minated with  the  utmoit  facility,  had  Leo  X.  been  difpofed 
to  follow  the  healing  method  which  common  prudence 
muft  have  natural! v  pointed  out  on  fuch  an  cccafion.  For, 
after  all.  this  was  no  more  than  a  private  difpute  between 
two  monks,  concerning  the  extent  of  the  pope's  power 
with  refpeci  to  the  remilhon  of  fin.  Luther  corfeifed 
that  the  Roman  pontiff  was  clothed  with  the  power  of 
remitting  the  human  puniihments  inflicted  upon  tranfgref- 
fors,  i.  e.  the  puniihments  denounced  by  the  church, 
and  its  vifible  head  the  biihop  of  Rome ;  but  he  ftrenu- 
oufiy  denied  that  his  power  extended  to  the  renuiuon  of 
the  divine  punifhmenis  allotted  to  erifenderv  either  in  this 
prefent,  or  in  a  future  itate  ;  affirming,  on  the  contrary, 
that  thefe  puniihments  could  only  be  removed  by  the  me- 
rits of  Chrift.  The  doctrine  of  Tetzel  was.  indeed,  directly 
oppciite  to  the  fentiments  of  Luther;  for  this  fcnfelefs  or 
deiigningmoak  aliened,  that  all  punimmems,  prcient  and 

future 


LUTHER.  141 

future,  human  and  divine,  were  fubmitted  to  the  authority 
of  the  Roman  pontiff,  and  came  within  the  reach  of  his 
abfolving  power. 

1  he  tentiments  of  Luther  were  received  with  applauie 
by  the  greatelt  part  of  Germany,  which  had  long  groaned 
under  the  avarice  of  the  pontiffs,  and  the.  extortions  of  their 
tax-gatherers,  and  had  murmured  grievouuy  againit  the 
various  iiratagems  that  were  daily  put  in  practice,  with 
the  moit  frontleis  impudence,  to  fleece  the  rich,  and  to 
grind  the  faces  of  the  poor.  But  the  votaries  of  Rome 
were  tilled  with  horror,  when  they  were  informed  of  the 
opinions  propagated  by  the  Saxon  reformer  ;  more  ei- 
peciaily  the  Dominicans,  who  looked  upon  their  order  as 
infulted  and  attacked  in  theperfon  of  Tetzci.  The  alarm 
of  controverfy  was  therefore  founded,  and  Tetzel  himielf 
appeared  immediately  in  the  field  againit  Lather,  whofe 
fentiments  he  pretended  to  refute  in  two  academical  dif- 
courles,  which  he  pronounced  on  occaiion  of  his  promo- 
tion to  the  degree  of  dodtor  of  divinity.  In  the  year  fol- 
lowing two  famous  Dominicans,  Sylvefter  de  Prierio  and 
trat,  the  former  a  native  of  Italy,  and -the  latter  a 
German,  role  up  alfo  againfl  the  adventurous  reformer, 
and  attacked  him  at  Cologn  with  the  utmoft  vehemence 
and  ardour.  Their  example  was  foon  followed  by  anoth- 
er formidable  champion,  named  Eckius,  a  celebrated  pro- 
felfor  of  divinity  atIngolitadt,and  one  of  the  111  oft  zealous 
lupporters  of  the  Dominican  order.  Luther  flood  firm 
againit  thefe  united  adverfaries,  and  was  neither  van- 
cunlhed  by  their  arguments,  nor  daunted  by  their  talents 
and  reputation;  but  anfwered  their  objections  and  refuted 
their  reaibnings  with  the  greater!  ftrength  of  evidence, 
and  a  becoming  fpirit  of  reiolution  and  perfeverance.  At 
the  fame  time,  however,  he  addreffed  himielf  by  letters, 
written  in  the  molt  fubmiilive  and  refpectful  terms,  to 
the  Roman^ontiff  and  to  fever  al  of  the  bifhops,  (hewing 

them* 


142  LUTHER. 

ihem  the  uprightnefs  of  his  intentions,  as  well  as  the 
juitice  of  his  caufe,  and  declaring  his  readinefs  to  change 
his  fentiments,  as  foon  as  he  mould  fee  them  fairly  pro- 
ved to  be  erroneous. 

At  firft,  Leo  X.  beheld  this  controverfy  with  indiffer- 
ence and  contempt ;  but,  being  informed  by  the  emperor 
Maximilian  I.  not  only  of  its  importance,  but  alfo  of  the 
fatal  divifjons  it  was  likely  to  produce  in  Germany,  he 
iummoned  Luther  to  appear  before  him  at  Rome,  and 
there  to  plead  the  cauie  which  he  had  undertaken  to 
maintain.  This  papal  fummons  was  fuperfededby  Frede- 
rick the  wife,  elector  of  Saxony,  who  pretended,  that 
the  caufe  of  Luther  belonged  to  the  jurifdi&ion  of  a  Ger- 
man tribunal,  and  that  it  was  to  be  decided  by  the  eccle- 
fiaftical  laws  of  the  empire.  The  pontiff  yielded  to  the 
remonflrances  of  this  prudent  and  magnanimous  prince, 
and  ordered  Luther  to  juftify  his  intentions  and  doctrines 
before  cardinal  Cajetan,  who  was,  at  this  time,  legate  at 
the  diet  of  Augfourg.  In  this  firft  Hep  the  court  of  Rome 
gave  a  fpecimen  of  that  temerity  and  imprudence  with 
which  all  its  negociations,  in  this  weighty  affair,  were 
afterwards  conducted.  For,  inftead  of  reconciling, 
nothing  could  tend  more  to  inflame  matters  than  the 
choice  of  Cajetan,  a  Dominican,,  and,  coniequently,  the 
ceclared  enemy  of  Luther,  and  friend  of  Tetzel,  as  judge 
and  arbitrator  in  this  nice  and  perilous  controverfy. 

Luther,  however,  repaired  to  Augfburg,  in  the  month 
of  October  15  r  8,  and  conferred,  at  three  different  meet- 
ings, with  Cajetan  himfelf,  concerning  the  points  in  de- 
bate. But  had  he  even  been  difpofed  to  yield  to  the  court 
of  Rome,  this  imperious  legate  was,  of  all  others,  the 
mod  improper  to  encourage  him  in  the  execution  of  luch 
a  purpofe.  The  high  fpirit  of  Luther  was  not  to  be  tam- 
ed by  the  arrogant  dictates  of  mere  authority  ;  fuch,  how- 
ever, were  the  only  methods  of  perfualion  employed  by 
the  haughty  cardinal.     He.  in  an  overbearing  tone,  dc- 

fired 


LUTHER. 


M3 


iired  Luther  to  renounce  his  opinions,  without  even  at- 
tempting to  prove  them  erroneous,  and  infilled,  with 
importunity,  on  his  confeihng  humbly  his  fault,  and  fub- 
mitting  refpectfully  to  the  judgment  of  the  Roman  pontiff. 
The  Saxon  reformer  could  not  think  of  yielding  to  terms 
lb  unreafonableinthemfelves  and  fo  defpotically  propofed; 
fo  that  the  conferences  were  abiblutely  without  effect. 
For  Luther,  rinding  his  adverfary  and  judge  inaccefhble 
to  reafon  and  argument,  left  Augfourg  all  of  a  Hidden, 
after  having  appealed  from  the  prefent  deciuons  of  the 
pontiff  to  thofe  which  he  mould  pronounce,  when  better 
informed  ;  and,  in  this  ftep,  he  feemed  yet  to  refpect 
the  dignity  and  authority  of  the  bilhop  of  Rome.  But 
Leo  X.  on  the  other  hand,  let  loofe  the  reins  to  ambiti- 
on and  deipotifm,  and  carried  things  to  the  utmoft  extre- 
mity ;  for,  in  the  month  of  November,  this  fame  year, 
he  publifhed  a  fpecial  edict,  commanding  his  f'piritual  fub- 
je<fts  to  acknowledge  his  power  of  delivering  from  all  the 
punljhments  due  to  Jin  and  tranfgrejjlon  of  every  kind.  As 
foon  as  Luther  received  information  of  this  inconfiderate 
and  violent  meafure,  he  perceived,  plainly,  that  it  would 
be  impoihble  for  him  to  bring  the  court  of  Rome  to  any 
reafonable  terms ;  he  therefore  repaired  to  Wittenburg, 
and,  on  the  28th  of  November,  appealed  from  the  pontiff 
to  a  general  council. 

In  the  mean  time,  the  Roman  pontiff  became  fenfible  of 
the  imprudence  he  had  been  guilty  of  in  entrusting  Caje- 
tan  with  fuch  a  commhTion,  and  endeavoured  to  mend  the 
matter  by  employing  a  man  of  more  candour  and  impar- 
tiality, and  better  acquainted  with  bufinefs,  in  order  to 
fupprefs  the  rebellion  of  Luther,  and  to  ergage  that  re- 
former to  fubmiffion  and  obedience.  This  new  legate 
was  Charks  Miltitz,  a  Saxon  knight,  who  belonged  to  the 
court  of  Leo  X.  and  whofe  lay-character  expofed  him  lefs 
to  the  prejudices  that  arife  from  a  fpirit  of  party,  than  if 
he  had  been    clothed  with   the  fplendid  purple,   or  the 

monaftic 


144 


LUTHER. 


monadic  frock.  He  was  alio  a  perfon  of  great  prudence, 
penetration,  and  dexterity,  and  every  way  qualified  for 
the  execution  offuchanice  and  critical  commiiiion  as  this 
was.  Leo,  therefore,  fent  him  into  Saxony  to  prefent  to 
Frederick  the  golden  confecrated  rofe  (which  the  pontiffs 
are  ufed  to  bellow,  as  a  peculiar  mark  of  diftinclion,  on 
thofe  princes,  for  whom  they  have,  or  think  proper  to 
profefs,  an  uncommon  friendftiip  and  efleem),  and  to 
treat  with  Luther,  not  only  about  fmiihing  his  controver- 
iy  with  Tetzel,  but  alfo  concerning  the  methods  of  bring- 
ing about  a  reconciliation  between  him  and  the  court  of 
Rome.  Nor,  indeed,  were  the  negociations  of  this  pru- 
dent minifler  entirely  unfuccefsful ;  for, 'in  his  firft  con- 
ference with  Luther,  at  Altenburg,  in  the  year  1519,116 
carried  matters  fo  far  as  to  perfuade  him  to  write  a  fub- 
miflive  letter  to  Leo  X.  promifmg  to  obferve  a  profound 
filence  upon  the  matters  in  debate,  provided  that  the  fame 
obligation  fliould  be  impofed  upon  his  adverfaries.  This 
fame  year,  in  the  month  of  October,  Miltitz  had  afecond 
conference  with  Luther  in  the  caftle  of  Leibenwerd,  and 
a  third  the  year  following,  at  Lichtenberg.  Thefe  meet- 
ings, which  were  reciprocally  conducted  with  moderation 
and  decency,  gave  great  hopes  of  an  approaching  recon- 
ciliation ;  nor  were  thefe  hopes  ill  founded.  But  the 
violent  proceedings  of  the  enemies  of  Luther,  and  the 
arrogant  fpirit,  as  well  as  unaccountable  imprudence,  of 
the  court  of  Rome,  biafled  thefe  fair  expectations,  and 
kindled  anew  the  flames  of  difcord. 

Tetzel,  on  the  other  hand,  burthened  with  the  iniqui- 
ties of  Rome,  tormented  with  a  confcioufnefs  of  his  own 
injuilice  and  extortions,  flung  with  the  opprobrious  cen- 
f  ures  of  the  new  legate,  and  feeing  himfeif  equally  defpif- 
ed  and  abhorred  by  both  parties,  died  of  grief  and  defpair. 

Had  the  court  of  Rome  been  prudent  enough  to  have 
accepted  of  the   fubmiffion   made  by  Luther,  they  would 
have  almcll  nipped  in  the  bud  the  caufe  of  the  reforma- 
tion.: 


LUTHER. 


M5 


tion,  or  would,  at  leaft,  have  confiderably  retarded  its 
'growth  and  progrefs. 

$  One  of  the  circumftanres  that  contributed  principally, 
at  leail  by  its  confequences,  to  render  the  embaffy  of 
Mikitz  ineffectual  for  the  reftoration  of  peace,  was  a  fa- 
mous controversy  of  an  incidental  nature  that  was  carried 
on  at  Leiplic,  fome  weeks  lucceilively,  in  the  year  15 19. 
A  doctor  named  Eckius,  who  was  one  of  the  mofl  emi- 
nent and  zealous  champions  in  the  papal  caule,  happened 
to  differ  widely  from  Carloftadt,  the  colleague  and  com- 
panion of  Luther,  in  his  fentiments  concerning  Free-will. 
The  firft  conflict  was  between  Carloftadt  and  Eckius  con- 
cerning the  powers  and  freedom  of  the  human  will ;  it 
was  carried  on  in  the  caftle  of  Pleilfenburg,  in  prefence 
of  a  numerous  and  fplendid  audience,  and  was  followed 
by  a  diipute  between  Luther  and  Eckius  concerning  the 
authority  and  fupermacy  of  the  Roman  pontiff.  This 
latter  controverfy,  which  the  prefent  fituation  of  affairs 
rendered  lingularly  nice  and  critical,  was  left  undecided. 
Hoffman,  at  that  time  rector  of  the  univerlity  of  Leipfic, 
and  who  had  been  alio  appointed  judge  of  the  arguments 
alledged  on  both  fides,  refufed  to  declare  to  whom  the 
victory  belonged ;  fo  that  the  decifion  of  this  matter  was 
referred  to  the  univerfities  of  Paris  and  Erfurt. 

Among  the  fpectators  of  this  ecclefiaftical  combat  was 
Philip  Melancthon,  at  that  time,  profeiTor  of  Greek  at 
Wittenburg,  who  had  not,  as  yet,  been  involved  in  thefe 
divilions  (as  indeed  the  mildnefs  of  his  temper  and  his  ele- 
gant tafte  for  polite  literature  rendered  him  averfe  from 
difputes  of  this  nature),  fhuugh  he  was  the  intimate 
friend  of  Luther,  and  approved  his  defign  of  delivering 
the  pure  and  primitive  fcience  of  theology  from  the  dark- 
nefs  and  fubtiity  of  fcholaftic  jargon. 

In  the  mean  time,  the  religious  diifenfions  in  Germany 
increaied,  inftead  of  diminifhing.  For  while  Miltitz  was 
treating  with  Luther  in  Saxony,  in  fuch  a  mild  and  pru- 

N  dent 


146  LUTHER. 

dent. manner  as  offered  the  faireft  profpecl:  of  an  approach- 
ing accommodation,  Eckius,  inflamed  with  reSentment 
and  fury  on  account  of  his  defeat  at  Leipfic,  repaired  with 
the  utmoft  precipitation  to  Rome,  to  accompliih,  as  he 
imagined,  the  ruin  of  Luther.  There,  entering  into  a 
league  with  the  Dominicans,  who  were  in  high  credit  at 
the  papal  court,  and  more  efpecially  with  their  two  zea- 
lous patrons,  De  Prierio  and  Cajetan,  he  earneftly  en- 
treated Leo  X.  to  level  the  thunder  of  his  anathemas  at 
the  head  of  Luther,  and  to  exclude  him  from  the  commu- 
nion of  the  church.  The  Dominicans,  defirous  of  reveng- 
ing the  affront  that,  in  their  opinion,  their  whole  order 
had  received  by  Luther's  treatment  of  their  brother  Tet- 
zel,  and  their  patron  Cajetan,  feconded  the  furious  efforts 
of  Eckius  againft  the  Saxon  reformer,  and  ufed  their 
utmoft  endeavours  to  have  his  requeft  granted.  The 
pontiff,  overcome  by  the  importunity  of  thefe  pernicious 
counsellors,  imprudently  iffued  out  a  bull  againlt  Luther, 
dated  the  15-th  of  June,  1520,  in  which  forty-one  pre- 
tended herelies,  extracted  from  his  writings,  were  Solemn- 
ly condemned,  his  writings  ordered  to  be  publicly  burnt, 
and  in  which  he  was  again  Summoned,  on  pain  of  excom- 
munication, to  confefs  and  retract  his  pretended  errors 
within  the  Space  of  Sixty  days,  and  to  caft  himfelf  upon 
the  clemency  and  mercy  of  the  pontiff. 

As  Soon  as  the  account  of  this  ram  Sentence,  pronoun- 
ced from  the  papal  chair,  was  brought  to  Luther  >  he 
thought  it  was  high  time  to  confult  both  his  preSent  de- 
fence andiiis  future  Security ;  and  the  firft  ftep  he  took 
for  this  purpoSe,  was  the  renewal  of  his  appeal  from  the 
Sentence  of  the  Roman  pontiff,  to  the  more  refpectable 
decifion  of  a  general  council.  But  as  he  forefaw  that  this 
appeal  would  be  treated  with  contempt  at  the  court  of 
Rome,  and  that  when  the  time  prefcribed  for  his  recan- 
tation was  ehpi'ed,  the  thunder  of  excommunication  would 
be  levelled  at  his.  devoted  head,  he  judged  it  prudent  to 

withdraw 


LUTHER.  i47 

withdraw  himfelf  voluntarily  from  the  communion  of  the 
church  of  Rome,  before  he  was  obliged   to   leave  it   by 
force  ;  and  thus  to  render  this  new  bull  of  ejection  a  blow 
in  the  air,  an  exercife  of  authority  without  any  object   to 
act  upon.      At  the  fame  time,  he  was  reiblved  to  execute 
this  wife  refolution  in  a  public  manner,  that  his  voluntary 
retreat  from  the  communion  of  a  corrupt  and  fuperititi- 
ous  church  might  be  univerfally  known,  before  the  lordly 
pontiff  had   prepared   his    gholtly    thunder.     With  this 
view,  on  the  ioth  of  December,  in   the  year  1520,  he 
had  a  pile  of  wood  erected  without  the  walls  of  the  Wit- 
tenburg  city,  and  there,  in  prefence  of  a  prodigious  mul- 
titude of  people  of  all  ranks  and  orders,  he  committed  to 
the  flames  both  the  bull  that  had  been  publiihed  againtt 
him,  and  the  decretals  and  canons  relating  to  the  pope's 
fupreme  jurifdiction.     By  this  he  declared  to  the  world, 
that  he  was  no  longer  a  fubject  of  the  Roman  pontiff;. 
and  that,  of  confequence,  the  fentence  of  excommunication 
againft  him,  which- was  daily  expected  from  Rome,    was 
entirely  fuperfluous  and  inlignificant.     It  is  not  improba- 
ble, that  Luther  was  directed,  in  this  critical  meafure,  by 
perfons  well   {killed  in    the  law,  who  are   generally  dex- 
trous infurniihing  a  perplexed  client  with  nice  diftinctions 
and  plaufible  evalions.     Be  that  as  it  may,  he  feparatedr 
himfelf  only  from   the  church  of  Rome,   which  confiders 
the  pope  as  infallible,  and  not  from  the  church,  confider- 
ed  in  a  more  extenfive    fenfe ;  for   he   fubmitted    to  the 
decifion  of  the  univerfal  church,  when  that  decilion  mould 
be  given  in   a  general  council  lawfully  affembled.     When 
this  judicious  diltincliion  is  confidered,  it  will  not  appear  at 
all  furpriling,  that  many,  even  of  the  Roman  catholics, 
who  weighed  matters  with  a  certain  degree  of  impartiality 
and  wifdom,  and  were  zealous  for  the  maintenance  of  the 
liberties  of  Germany,  juftified  this  bold  refolution  of  Lu- 
ther.    In  lefs  than  a  month  after  this  noble   and  impor- 
tant ftep  had  been  taken  by  the  Saxon  reformer,  a  fecond 

bull 


i48  LUTHER. 

bull  was  iffued  out  againft  him,  on  the  6th  of  January, 
1 52 1,  by  which  he  was  expelled  from  the  communion  of 
the  church,  for  having  infulted  the  majefty,  and  difowned 
the  fupremacy,  of  the  Roman  pontiff. 

Such  iniquitous  laws,  enacted  againft  the  perfon  and 
doctrine  of  Luther,  produced  an  effect  different  from  what 
was  expected  by  the  imperious  pontiff.  Inftead  of  inti- 
midating this  bold  reformer,  they  led  him  to  form  the 
project  of  founding  a  church  upon  principles  entirely  op- 
pofite  to  thofe  of  Rome,  and  to  eftablifh,  in  it,  a  fyftem 
of  doctrine  and  ecclefiaftical  difcipline,  agreeable  to  the 
fpirit  and  precepts  of  the  gofpel  of  truth.  This,  indeed, 
was  the  only  refource  Luther  had  left  him  ;  for  to  fub- 
mit  to  the  orders  of  a  cruel  and  infolent  enemy,  would 
have  been  the  greater!  degree  of  imprudence  imaginable ; 
and  to  embrace,  anew,  errors  that  he  had  rejected  with  a 
jril  indignation  and  expofed  with  the  cleared  evidence, 
would  have  dilVovtred  a  want  of  integrity  and  principle, 
worthy  only  of  the  moft  abandoned  profligate.  From 
this  time,  therefore,  he  applied  himfelf  to  the  purfuit  of 
the  truth  with  ftill  more  affidirity  and  fervour  than  he 
had  formerly  done ;  nor  did  he  only  review  with  atten- 
tion, and  confirm  by  new  arguments,  what  he  had  hither- 
to taught,  but  went  much  beyond  it,  and  made  vigorous 
attacks  upon  the  main  flrong-hold  of  popery,  the  power 
and  jurifdiction  of  the  Roman  pontiff,  which  he  overturn- 
ed from  its  very  foundation.  In  this  noble  undertaking 
he  wasfeconded  by  many  learned  and  pious  men,  in  vari- 
ous parts  of  Europe  ;  by  thofe  of  the  profeffors  of  the 
'academy  of  Wittenburg,  who  had  adopted  his  principles  ; 
and  in  a  more  efpecial  manner  by  the  celebrated  Melanc- 
thon.  And  as  the  fame  of  Luther's  wifdom  and  Melanc- 
thon's  learning  had  filled  that  academy  with  an  incredible 
number  of  ftudents,  who  flocked  to  it  from  all  parts,  this 
happy  circumftance  propagated  the  principles  of  the  re- 
formation with  an  amazing  rapidity  through  all  thecoun- 
tries  of  Europe.  ^ot 


LUTHER. 


147 


Not' long  after  the  commencement  of  thefe  divifions, 
Maximilian  I.  had  departed  this  life,  and  his  grandfon 
Charles  V.  king  of  Spain,  had  fucceeded  him  in  the  em- 
pire in  the  year  1^19.  Leo  X.  feized  this  new  occalion  of 
venting  and  executing  his  vengeance,  by  putting  the  new 
emperor  in  mind  of  his  character  as  advocate  and  defender 
of  the  church,  and  demanding  the  exemplary  puniihment 
of  Luther,  who  had  rebelled  againft  its  facred  laws  and 
inftitutions.  On  the  other  hand,  Frederick  the  Wife  em- 
ployed his  credit  with  Charles  to  prevent  the  publication 
of  any  unjuft  edict  againft  this  reformer,  and  to  have  his 
caufe  tried  by  the  canons  of  the  Germanic  church,  and 
the  laws  of  the  empire.  This  requefl  was  fo  much  the 
more  likely  to  be  granted,  that  Charles  was  under  much 
greater  obligations  to  Frederick,  than  to  any  other  of 
the  German  princes,  as  it  was  chiefly  by  his  zealous  and 
important  fervices  that  lie  had  been  raifed  to  the  empire, 
in  oppofition  to  the  pretentions  of  fuch  a  formidable  rival 
as  Francis  I.  king  of  France.  The  emperor  was  fenfible 
of  his  obligations  to  the  worthy  elector,  and  was  entirely 
difpofed  to  fatisfy  his  demands.  That,  however,  he 
might  do  this  without  difpleafmg  the  Roman  pontic,  he 
reiblved  that  Luther  mould  be  called  before  the  council, 
that  was  to  be  ailembled  at  Worms  in  the  year  1  ^ai,and 
that  his  caufe  mould  be  there  publicly  heard,  before  any 
final  fentence  fhouid  be  pronounced  againft  him.  When 
f'ome  of  his  friends,  informed  of  the  violent  deiigns  of  the 
Roman  court,  and  alarmed  by  the  bull  that  had  been 
publilhed  againft  him  by  the  ram  pontiff,  advifed  him 
not  to  expofe  his  perfon  at  the  diet  of  Worms,  notwith- 
ilandingthe  imperial  fafe-ccnducl  (w7hich,  in  afimilar  cafe, 
had  not  been  iufficient  to  protect  John  Hufs  and  Jerome 
of  Prague  from  the  prefidy  and  cruelty  of  their  enemies), 
he  anfw ered  with  his  ufual  intrepidity,  that  were  he  oblige 
ed  to  encounter  at  Worms  as  many  devils  as  there  were  tiles 
up'jn  the  houfes  of  that  city,  this  would  not  deter  him  from 
N  2  hi 


150  L     U     T     H    E    R» 

his  fixed  purpofe  of  appearing  there :  that  fear  ,  in  his  cafe, 
could  be  only  a  fuggefiion  of  Satan,  who  apprehended  the  ap- 
proaching ruin  of  his  kingdom;  and  who  was  willing  to  avoid 
a  public  defeat  before  fuch  a  grand  affemlly  as  the  diet  of 
Worms. 

Luther,  therefore,  appeared  at  Worms,  fecured  againft 
the  violence  of  his  enemies  by  a  fafe- conduct  from  the 
emperor,  and,  on  the  1 7th  of  April,  and  the  day  fol- 
lowing, pleaded  his  caufe  before  that  grand  aflembly  with 
the  utmoft  retaliation  and  pretence  of  mind.  The  united 
power  of  threatenings  and  entreaties  were  employed  to 
conquer  the  firmnefs  of  his  purpofe,  to  engage  him  to  re- 
nounce the  proportions  he  had  hitherto  maintained,  and 
to  bend  him  to  a  fubmiffion  to  the  Roman  pontiff.  But 
he  refufed  all  this  with  a  noble  obftinacy,  and  declared  io- 
lemnly,  that  he  u  ould  neither  abandon  his  opinions,  nor 
change  his  conduit,  until  he  was  previoufly  convinced,  by 
the  word  of  God,  or  the  dictates  of  right  reafon,  that 
that  his  opinions  were  erroneous,  and  his  conduct  unlaw- 
ful. When  therefore  neither  promifes  nor  threatnings 
could  make  the  conftancy  of  his  magnanimous  reformer, 
he  obtained,  indeed,  from  the  emperor  the  liberty  of  re- 
turning, unmolefted,  to  his  home ;  but  after  his  depar- 
ture from  the  diet,  he  was  condemned  by  the  unanimous 
iufTrages  both  by  the  emperor  and  the  princes,  and  was 
declared  an  enemy  to  the  holy  Roman  empire.  Freder- 
ick, who  law  the  ftcrm  rifmg  againft  Luther,  ufed  the 
beft  precautions  to  fecure  him  from  its  violenee.  For  this 
purpofe  he  lent  three  or  four  perfons,  in  whom  he  could 
confide,  to  meet  him  on  his  return  from  the  diet,  in  order 
to  conduct  him  to  a  place  of  fafety.  Thefe  emiflarics, 
difguifed  by  mafks,  executed  their  commhTion  with  the 
utmoft  fecrecy  and  fuccefs.  Meeting  with  Luther,  near 
Eyfenac,  they  feized  him,  and  carried  him  into  the  caftle 
of  Wartenburg,  nor,  as  fome  have  imagined  upon  pro- 
bable grounds,  was  this  done  without  the  knowledge  of 


LUTHER.  i5t 

his  Imperial  majefty.  In  this  retreat,  which  he  called 
his  Patmos,  the  Sr.xon  reformer  lay  concealed  during  the 
fpace  of  ten  months,  and  employed  this  involuntary  lei- 
fure  in  compoiitions  that  were  afterwards  uielul  to  the 
world. 

The  active  fpirit  of  Luther  could  not,  however,  long 
bear  this  confinement ;  he  therefore  left  his  Patmos  in 
the  month  of  March,  of  the  year  1522,  without  the  con- 
fen  t,  or  even  the  knowledge,  of  his  patron  and  protector 
Frederick,  and  repaired  to  Wittenburg.  One  of  the 
principal  motives  that  engaged  him  to  take  this  bold  flep, 
was  the  information  he  had  received  of  the  inconfiderate 
conduct  of  Carloftadt,  and  fome  other  friends  of  the  refor- 
mation, who  had  already  excited  tumults  in  Saxony,  and 
were  acting  in  a  manner  equally  prejudicial  to  the  tran- 
quility of  the  ftate,  and  the  true  interefts  of  the  church. 
Luther  oppofed  the  impetuoiity  of  this  imprudent  refor- 
mer with  the  utmoft  fortitude  and  dignity ;  and  to  thefe 
prudent  admonitions  this  excellent  reformer  added  the  in- 
fluence of  example,  by  applying  himfelf  with  redoubled 
induftry  and  zeal,  to  his  German  tranflation  of  the  Holy 
Scriptures,  which  he  carried  on  with  expedition  and  fuc- 
cefs,  with  the  aififtance  of  fome  learned  and  pious  men, 
whom  he  confulted  in  this  great  and  important  undertak- 
ing. The  event  abundantly  mewed  the  wifdom  of 
Luther's  advice.  For  the  different  parts  of  this  tranf- 
lation, being  fucceffively  and  gradually  fpread  abroad 
among  the  people,  produced  fudden  and  almoft  incredi- 
ble effects,  and  extirpated,  root  and  branch,  the  errone- 
ous principles  and  fuperftitious  doctrines  of  the  church  of 
Rome  from  the  minds  of  a  prodigious  number  of  perfons. 

While  thefe  things  were  transacting,  Leo  X.  departed 
this  life,  and  was  fucceeded  in  the  pontificate  by  Adrian 
VI.  a  native  of  Utrecht.  This  pope,  who  had  formerly 
been  preceptor  to  Charles  V.  and  who  owed  his  new 
dignity  to  the  good  offices  of  that  prince,  was  a  man  of 

probity 


9r. 


152  L     U    T    II     E    R.- 

probity  rind  candor,  who  acknowledged  ingenuoufly  that 
the  church  laboured  under  the  molt  fatal  diforders,  and 
declared  his  willingnefs  to  apply  the  remedies  that  mould 
be  judged  the  moft  adapted  to  heal  them.  He  began  his 
pontificate  by  fending  a  legate  to  the  diet,  which  was 
affembled  at  Nuremberg  in  1522.  Francis  Cheregato, 
the  perfon  who  was  intrufted  with  this  commiffion,  had 
pofitive  orders  to  demand  the  fpeedy  and  vigorous  execu- 
tion of  the  fentence  that  had  been  pronounced  againft 
Luther  and  his  followers  at  the  diet  of  Worms  ;  but,  at 
the  fame  time,  he  was  authorifed  to  declare  that  the  pon- 
tiff was  ready  to  remove  the  abufes  and  grievances  that  had 
armed  fuch  a  formidable  enemy  againft  the  fee  of  Rome. 
The  princes  of  the  empire,  encouraged  by  this  declaration 
on  the  one  hand,  and  by  the  abfence  of  the  emperor, 
who,  at  this  time,  refided  in  Spain,  on  the  other,  feized 
this  opportunity  of  propoling  the  fummoning  a  general 
council  in  Germany,  in  order  to  deliberate  upon  the  pro- 
per methods  of  bringing  about  an  univerfal  reformation 
of  the  church.  They  exhibited,  at  the  fame  time,  an 
hundred  articles,  containing  the  heavieft  complaints  of  the 
injurious  treatment  the  Germans  had  hitherto  received 
from  the  court  of  Rome,  and,  by  a  public  law,  prohib- 
ited all  innovation  in  religious  matters,  until  a  general 
council  mould  decide  what  was  to  be  done  in  an  affair  of 
fuch  high  moment  and  importance. 

The  pope  Adrian  did  not  long  enjoy  the  pleafure 
of  fitting  at  the  head  of  the  church.  He  died  in  the  year 
1523,  and  was  fucceeded  by  Clement  VII.  a  man  of  a 
referved  character,  and  prone  to  artifice.  This  pontiff 
fent  to  the  imperial  diet  at  Nuremberg,  in  the  year  1524, 
a  cardinal-legate,  named  Campegius,  whole  orders,  with 
refpect  to  the  affairs  of  Luther,  breathed  nothing  but  fe- 
verity  and  violence,  and  who  inveighed  againft  the  lenity 
of  the  German  princes  in  delaying  the  execution  of  the 
decree  of  Worms;  while  he  carefully  avoided  the  fmalleft 

mention 


LUTHER.  153 

of  the  promife  Adrian  had  made  to  reform  the  corruptions 
of  a  fuperititious  church.  The  emperor  feconded  the  de- 
mands of  Campegius  by,  the  orders  he  fent  to  his  minif- 
ter  to  infill  upon  the  execution  of  the  fentence  which  had 
been  pronounced  againfl  Luther  and  his  adherents  at  the 
diet  of  Worms.  The  princes  of  the  empire,  tired  out  by 
thefe  importunities  and  remonflrances,  changed  in  ap- 
pearance the  law  they  had  palled,  but  confirmed  it  in 
reality.  For  while  they  promiled  to  obferve,  as  far  as 
was  poffible,  the  edift  of  Worms,  they,  at  the  fame  time, 
renewed  their  demands  of  a  general  council,  and  left  all 
other  matters  in  difpute  to  be  examined  and  decided  at 
the  diet  that  was  foon  to  be  aflembled  at  Spire.  The 
pope's  legate,  on  the  other  hand,  perceiving  by  thefe 
proceedings,  that  the  German  princes  in  general  were  no 
enemies  to  the  reformation,  retired  to  Ratifbon,  with  the 
biihops  and  thofe  of  the  princes  that  adhered  to  the  caufe 
of  Rome,  and  there  drew  from  them  a  new  declaration, 
by  which  they  engaged  themfelves  to  execute  rigoroudy 
the  edict  of  Worms  in  their  refpeclive  dominions. 

While  the  efforts  of  Luther  towards  the  reformation  of 
the  church  were  daily  crowned  with  growing  fuccefs,and 
almofl  all  the  nations  feemed  difpofed  to  open  their  eyes 
upon  the  light,  two  unhappy  occurrences,  one  of  a 
foreign,  and  the  other  of  a  domeftic  nature,  contributed 
greatly  to  retard  the  progrefs  of  this  falutary  and  glorious 
work.  The  domeftic,  or  internal  incident,  was  a  contro- 
verfy  concerning  the  manner  in  which  the  body  and  blood 
of  Chrift  were  prefent  in  the  eucharift,  that  arofe  among 
thofe  whom  the  Roman  pontiff  had  publicly  excluded  from 
the  communion  of  the  church,  and  unhappily  produced 
among  the  friends  of  the  good  caufe  the  moil  deplorable 
animolities  and  divifions.  Luther  and  his  followers, 
though  they  had  rejected  the  monftrous  doctrine  of  the 
church  of  Rome  with  refpect  to  the  tranfubftantiathn,  or 
change  of  the  bread  and  wine  into  the  body  and  blood  of 

Chrift, 


154  LUTHER. 

Chrift,  were  neverthelefs  of  opinion,  that  the  partakers  of 
the    Lord's  fupper  received,   along  with  the  bread  and 
wine,  the  real  body  and  blood  of  Chrift.     Carloftadt,  who 
was  Luther's  colleague,  underftood  the  matter  quite  other- 
wife,  and  his  doctrine,    which  was  afterwards  illuftrated 
and  confirmed'  by  Zuinglius  with   much  more  ingenuity 
than  he  had  propofed  it,  amounted  to  this:  "  That  the 
u  body  and  blood  of  Chrift  were  not  really  prefent  in  the 
"  eucharift ;  and  that  the  bread  and  wine  were  no  more 
"  than  external  fignsy  and  fymbols,  defigned  to  excite  in 
"  the   minds  of  Christians  the  remembrance  of  the  fuffer- 
"  ings  and  death  of  the  divine  Saviour,  and  of  the  benefits 
"  which  arife  from  it."     This  opinion  was  embraced  by 
all  the  friends  of  the  reformation  in  Switzerland,  and  by 
a  confiderahle  number  of  its  votaries  in  Germany.     On 
the  other  hand,  Luther  maintained  his  doctrine,  in  rela- 
tion to  this  point,  with  the  utmolt  obftinacy  ;  and  hence 
arofe,  in  the  year  1524,  a  tedious   and  vehement  contro- 
verfy,  which  notwithstanding  the  zealous  endeavours  that 
were  ufed  ro  reconcile  the  contending  parties,  terminated, 
at  length  in  a  fatal  divifion  between  thofe  who  had  em- 
barked together  in  the  facred  caufe  of  religion  and  liberty* 
To  thefe  inteftine  divifions  were  added  the  horrors  of 
a  civil  war,  which  was    the  fatal  effect   of  oppremon  on 
the  one  hand,  and  of  enthufiafim  on  the  other;  and,  by 
its  unhappy  confequences,  was  prejudicial  to  the  cauie  and 
progrefs  of  the  reformation.     In  the  year  1525,  a  prodi- 
gious multitude  of  feditious  fanatics  arofe  like   a  whirl- 
wind, all  of  a  fudden,  in  different  parts  of  Germany,  took 
arms,  united   their   forces,  waged  war  againft.  the  laws, 
the  magiftrates,  and  the  empire  in  general,  laid  wafte  the 
country  with  fire  and  fword,  and  exhibited  daily  the  raoft 
horrid  Spectacles  of  unrelenting  barbarity.     The  greateft 
part  of  this  furious  and    formidable  mob  was  compofed 
ofpeafantsandvaflals,  who  groaned  under  heavy  burthens, 
and  declared  they  were  no  longer  able  to  bear  the  defpotic 

Severity 


LUTHER. 


*55 


feverity  of  their  chiefs  ;  and  hence  this  feditionwas  called 
the  Ruftic  ivary  or  the  war  of  the  peafants.  But  no 
fooner  had  the  euthuliaft  Munzer  put  himfelf  at  the  head 
of  this  outrageous  rabble,  than  the  face  of  things  changed 
entirely,  and  by  the  mitigation  of  this  man,  who  had  de- 
ceived numbers  before  this  time  by  his  pretended  vifions 
and  infpirations,  the  civil  commotions  in  Saxony  and 
Thuringia  were  ibon  directed  towards  a  new  object,  and 
were  turned  into  a  religions  war.  The  fentiments,  how- 
ever, of  this  leditious  and  diiTolute  multitude  were  great- 
ly divided,  and  their  demands  were  very  different. 
Luther,  fufficiently  defended  both  his  principles  and  his 
caufe"  againit  this  turbulent  feet,  by  the  advice  he  addref- 
fed  to  the  princes  of  the  empire  to  take  arms  againft  them. 
And,  accordingly,  in  the  year  1525,  this  odious  faction 
was  defeated  and  deftroyed,  in  a  pitched  battle  fought  at 
Mulhaufen  ;  and  Munzer,  their  ringleader,  taken,  and 
put  to  death. 

Luther  laid  afide  the  friar's  habit  in  October,  1524 ; 
and  married  Catharine  de  Bore,  a  lady  of  noble  deieent, 
who,  with  eight  other  nuns,  was  taken  out  of  the  nun- 
nery at  Nimptfchen  in  1523,  and  carried  to  Wittenberg, 
by  Leonard  Coppen,  of  Torgau.  Luther  vindicated  that 
action,  and  intended  to  marry  Catharine  to  Glaciu* 
minifter  of  Ortamunden,  whofe  perfon  Ihe  difliked  ;  and 
lb  Luther  married  her  himfelf,  on  the  13th  of  June,  1525, 
without  confulting  his  friends  :  But  Luther  fays,  he  took 
a  wife  in  obedience  to  his  father's  command.  Luther 
was  then  forty-two,  and  his  wife  was  twenty-fix.  He 
was  fo  far  from  being  amamed  of  entering  into  the  holy 
ftate  of  matrimony,  that  he  exhorted  the  elector  of 
Mentz,  and  the  grand  mailer  of  the  Teutonic  order,  to 
follow  his  example  ;  which  was  done  by  the  latter,  not- 
withftanding  the  cenfure  of  the  Romanifts.  This  grand 
mailer  was  Albert  margrave  of  Brandenburgh,  for  whom 
that  part  of  Pruflici  which  belonged  to  the  Teutonic  or- 
der 


156  LUTHER. 

der  was  formed  into  a  fecular  duchy.  He  embraced  the 
Lutheran  religion,  renounced  his  vow  of  celibacy,  and 
married  Anna  Maria  of  Brunfwick.  He  afterwards  con- 
formed to  the  Augfburg  confefiion,  and  founded  an  uni- 
verfity  at  Koninglberg,  in  1544,  that  the  proteftant  re- 
ligion might  be  introduced  and  eftablifhed  in  Pruffia,  and 
all  the  profeflbrs  were  to  be  Lutherans.  In  thofe  times, 
marriage  foon  became  a  recommendation  among  the  re- 
formers,  and  was  a  certain  proof  that  they  had  abjured 
popery ;  for  if  a  converted  clergymen  did  not  marry,  he 
caufed  a  fufpicion  that  he  had  not  renounced  the  doctrine 
of  celibacy. 

Luther  was  very  fond  of  his  wife,  and  ufed  to  call  her 
his  Catharine.  She  was  handfome  and  modeft :  But  he 
profeffed  himfelf,  that  one  great  reafon  which  induced 
him  to  marry  was,  to  give  an  example  of  the  doclrine  he 
preached  againfl  celibacy,  and  to  Ihew,  that  he  was  not 
afraid  or  aihamed  to  do  himfelf,  what  he  exhorted  and 
enjoined  in  others. 

While  the  fanatical  infurrection  raged  in  Germany, 
Frederick  the  wife,  elector  of  Saxony,  departed  this  life. 
This  excellent  prince,  whole  character  was  diftinguifhed 
by  an  uncommon  degree  of  prudence  and  moderation, 
had,  during  his  life,  been  a  fort  of  a  mediator  between 
the  Roman  pontiff  and  the  reformer  of  Wittenburg. 
The  elector  John,  his  brother  and  lucceffor,  acted  in  a 
quite  different  manner.  Convinced  of  the  truth  of 
Luther's  doctrine,  and  perfuaded  that  itmuftlofe  ground 
and  be  foon  fuppreffed  if  the  defpotic  authority  of  the 
Roman  pontiff  remained  undifputed  and  entire,  he,  with- 
out hefitation  or  delay,  ailumed  to  himfelf  the  fupremacy 
in  eccleiiaftical  matters,  and  founded  and  eftabliihed  a 
church  in  his  dominions,  totally  different  from  the  church 
of  Rome,  in  doctrine,  difcipline,  and  government.  To 
bring  this  new  and  happy  eftablilhment  to  as  great  a  de- 
gree of  perfection  as  was  pofhble,  this  refolute  and  active 

prince 


LUTHER.  157 

prince  ordered  a  body  of  laws,  relating  to  the  form  of 
ecclefiatiical  government,  the  method  of  public  worihip, 
and  other  matters  of  that  nature,  to  be  drawn  up  by 
Luther  and  Melancthon,  and  promulgated  by  heralds 
throughout  his  dominions  in  the  year  1527.  The  illuf- 
trious  example  of  this  elector  was  followed  by  all  the 
princes  and  flates  of  Germany,  who  renounced  the  papal 
iupremacy  and  jurifdkftion ;  and  a  like  form  of  worfhip, 
difcipline,  and  government  was  thus  introduced  into  all 
the  churches,  which  diflented  from  that  of  Rome.  Hence 
was  an  open  rupture  formed  between  the  German  princes, 
of  whom  one  party  embraced  the  reformation,  and  the 
other  adhered  to  the  fuperftitions  of  their  forefathers. 

Things  being  reduced  to  this  violent  and  troubled  flate, 
the  patrons  of  popery  gave  intimations,  that  were  far 
from  being  ambiguous,  of  their  intention  to  make  war 
upon  the  Lutheran  party,  and  to  fupprefs  by  force  a 
doctrine  which  they  were  incapable  of  overturning  by 
argument ;  and  this  defign  would  certainly  have  been  put 
in  execution,  had  not  the  troubles  of  Europe  difconcerted 
their  meafures.  The  Lutherans,  on  the  other  hand,  in- 
formed of  thefe  hoftile  intentions,  began  alfo  to  deliberate 
upon  the  molt  effectual  methods  of  defending  themfelves 
againft  fuperftition  armed  with  violence,  and  formed  the 
plan  of  a  confederacy  that  might  anfwer  this  prudent  pur- 
pole.  In  the  mean  time  the  diet  affembled  at  Spire,  in 
the  year  1526,  at  which  Ferdinand,  the  emperor's  brother, 
prefided,  ended  in  a  manner  more  favourable  to  the 
fr.ends  of  the  reformation,  than  they  could  naturally  ex- 
pect. The  emperor's  ambaffadors  at  this  diet  were  order- 
ed to  ufe  their  moft  earned  endeavours  for  the  fuppreflion 
of  all  farther  difputes  concerning  religion,  and  to  infift 
upon  the  rigorous  execution  of  tjiefentence  that  had  been 
pronounced  at  Worms  againft  Luther  and  his  followers. 
The  greateft  part  of  the  German  princes  oppofed  this 
motion  with  the  utmoft  resolution,  declaring,  that  thesr 
O  coulj 


i53  LUTHER- 

could  not  execute  that  fentence,  nor  come  to  any  deter- 
mination with  refpect  to  the  do&rines  by  which  it  had 
been  occafioned,  before  the  whole  matter  was  fubmitted 
to  the  cognizance  of  a  general  council  lawfully  afTembled  ; 
alleging  farther,  that  the  decifion  of  controverfies  of  this 
nature  belonged  properly  to  fuch  a  council,  and  to  it  alone. 
This  opinion,  after  long  and  warm  debates,  was  adopted 
by  a  great  majority,  and,  at  length,  confented  to  by  the 
whole  affembly. 

Nothing  could  be  more  favourable  to  thofe  who  had 
the  caufe  of  pure  and  genuine  Chridianity  at  heart,  than 
a  refoluticn  of  this  nature.  For  the  emperor  was,  at  this 
time,  fo  entirely  taken  up  in  regulating  the  troubled  ftate 
of  his  dominions  in  France,  Spain,  and  Italy,  which  ex- 
hibited, from  day  today,  new  fcenes  of  perplexity,  that, 
for  fome  years,  it  was  not  in  his  power  to  turn  his  atten- 
tion to  the  affairs  of  Germany  in  general,  and  flill  lefs  to 
the  flate  of  religion  in  particular,  which  was  befet  with 
difficulties,  that,  to  a  political  prince  like  Charles,  muft 
have  appeared  peculiarly  critical  and  dangerous.  Befides, 
had  the  emperor  really  been  pofleifed  of  leifure  to  form, 
or  of  power  to  execute,  a  plan  that  might  terminate,  in 
favour  of  the  Roman  pontiff,  the  religious  difputes  which 
reigned  in  Germany,  it  is  evident,  that  the  inclination  was 
wanting,  and  that  Clement  VII .  who  now  fat  in  the  papal 
chair,  had  nothing  to  expect  from  the  good  offices  of 
Charles  V.  For  this  pontiff,  after  the  defeat  of  Francis  I. 
at  the  battle  of  Pavia,  filled  with  uneafy  apprehenfions  of 
the  growing  power  of  the  emperor  in  Italy,  entered 
into  a  confederacy  with  the  French  and  the  Venetians 
againft  that  prince.  And  this  meafure  inflamed  the  re- 
f  cntment  and  indignation  of  Charles  to  fuch  a  degree, 
that  he  abolifhed  the  papal  authority  in  his  Spanifli  do- 
minions, made  war  upon  the  pope  in  Italy,  laid  fiege  to 
Rome  in  the  vear  1527,  blocked  up  Clement  in  thecaflle 
of  St.  Angelo,   and  expoied  him    to  the  mod  fevere  and 

contumelius 


LUTHER. 


r59 


contumelius  treatment.  Thefe  critical  events,  together 
with  the  liberty  granted  by  the  diet  of  Spire,  were  pru- 
dently and  induitrioudy  improved,  by  the  friends  of  the 
reformation,  to  the  advantage  of  their  canfe,  and  to  the 
augmentation  of  their  number.  In  the  mean  time, 
Luther  and  his  fellow-labourers,  particularly  thole  who 
were  with  him  at  Wittenberg,  by  their  writings,  their  in- 
iirucYions,  their  admonitions  and  counfels,  infpired  the 
timorous  with  fortitude,  diipelled  the  doubts  of  the  igno- 
rant, iixed  the  principles  and  refolution  of  the  floating 
and  inconftant,  and  animated  all  the  friends  of  genuine 
Chriitianity  with  a  fpirit  fuitable  to  the  grandeur  of  their 
undertaking. 

But  the  tranquillity  and  liberty  they  enjoyed,  in  confe- 
quence  of  the  refolutions  taken  in  the  firft  diet  of  Spire, 
were  not  of  a  long  duration.  They  were  interrupted  by 
a  new  diet  afTembled,  in  the  year  1529,111  the  fame  place, 
by  the  emperor,  after  he  had  appealed  the  commotions 
and  troubles  which  had  employed  his  attention  in  lever al 
parts  of  Europe,  and  concluded  a  treaty  of  peace  with 
Clement  VII.  This  prince,  having  now  got  rid  of  the 
burthen  that  had,  for  fome  time,  overwhelmed  him,  had 
leilure  to  direct  the  affairs  of  the  church ;  and  this  the 
reformers  foon  felt,  by  a  disagreeable  experience.  For 
the  power,  which  had  been  granted  by  the  former  diet  to 
every  prince,  of  managing  ecclefiailical  matters  as  they 
thought  proper;  until  the  meeting  of  a  general  council, 
was  now  revoked  bv  a  majority  of  votes.  This  decree 
was  juftly  confidered  as  iniquitous  and  intolerable  by  the 
elector  of  Saxony,  the  landgrave  of  HefTe,  and  the  other 
members  of  the  diet,  who  were  perfuaded  of  the  necefllty 
of  a  reformation  in  the  church.  Therefore,  when  the 
princes  and  members  now  mentioned  found  that  all  their 
arguments  and  remonftrances  againft  this  unjuit  decree 
made  no  imprefiion  upon  Ferdinand,  nor  upon  the  abet- 
tors of  the    ancient  luperftitions,  they  entered  a  folemn 

proteft 


160  LUTHER. 

proteft  againft  this  decree  on  the  1 9th  of  April,  and  ap- 
pealed to  the  emperor  and  to  a  future  council.  Hence 
arofe  the  denomination  of  Proteft  ants,  which  from  this 
period  has  been  given  to  thofe  who  renounce  the  fuper- 
ltitious  communion  of  the  church  of  Rome. 

The  minifters  of  the  churches,  which  had  embraced 
the  fentiments  of  Luther,  were  preparing  a  new  embafiy 
to  the  emperor,  when  an  account  was  received  of  a  de- 
figri  formed  by  that  prince  to  come  into  Germany,  with 
a  view  to  terminate,  in  the  approaching  diet  at  Augiburg, 
the  religious  difputes  that  had  produced  fuch  animofities 
anddivifions  in  the  empire.  Hitherto,  indeed,  it  was  not 
eafy  for  the  emperor  to  form  a  clear  idea  of  the  matters 
in  debate,  imce  there  was  no  regular  fyftem  as  yet  com- 
peted, of  the  doelrines  embraced  by  Luther  and  his  fol- 
lowers, by  which  their  real  opinions,  and  the  true  caufes 
oi  their  oppofition  to  the  Roman  pontiff,  might  be  known 
with  certainty.  As,  therefore,  it  was  impoihble,  without 
fome  declaration  of  this  nature,  to  examine  with  accuracy, 
or  decide  with  equity,  a  matter  of  fuch  high  importance 
as  that  which  gave  rife  to  the  divifions  between  the  vo- 
taries of  Rome.  Luther,  in  compliance  with  this  order, 
delivered  to  the  elector,  at  Torgaw,  the  feventeen  arti- 
cles, which  had  been  drawn  up  and  agreed  on  in  the  con- 
ference at  Sulzbach  in  the  year  1529;  and  hence  they 
were  called  the  Articles  of  Torgaw.  Though  thefe  arti- 
cles were  deemed  by  Luther  a  fufficient  declaration  of  the 
fentiments  of  the  reformers,  yet  it  was  judged  proper  to 
enlarge  them  ;  and,  by  a  judicious  detail,  to  give  peripi- 
cuity  to  their  arguments,  and  thereby  ftrength  to  their 
caufe.  It  was  this  confi deration  that  engaged  the  pro- 
teftant  princes,  affembled  at  Coburg  and  Augfburg,  to 
employ  Melancthon  in  extending  thele  articles,  in  which 
important  work  he  fhewed  a  due  regard  to  the  counfels  of 
Luther,  and  expreiled  his  fentiments  and  doctrine  with 
the  greated  elegance   and  perfpieuity. 

Charles 


LUTHER.  161 

Charles  V.  arrived  at  Auglburg  the  15th  of  June  15  30, 
and  on  the  20th,  the  diet  was  opened.  As  it  was  unani- 
nioufly  agreed,  that  the  affairs  of  religion  mould  be  brought 
upon  the  carpet  before  the  deliberations  relating  to 
the  intended  war  with  thet  Turks,  the  proteftant 
members  of  this  great  aflembly  received  from  the 
emperor  a  formal  permiffion  to  prefent  to  the  diet, 
on  the  25th  of  June,  an  account  of  their  religious  princi- 
ples and  tenets.  In  confequence  of  this,  the  chancellor 
of  Saxony,  read,  in  the  German  language,  in  prefence  of 
the  emperor  and  the  affembled  princes,  the  famous  con- 
feffion,  which  has  been  fince  diftinguilhed  by  the  denomi- 
nation of  the  Confeffion  of  Augfburg*  The  princes  heard 
it  with  the  deepelt  attention  and  recollection  of  mind;  it 
coniirmed  fome  in  the  principles  they  had  embraced, 
furprifed  others,  and  many,  who,  before  this  time,  had 
little  or  no  idea  of  the  religious  fentiments  of  Luther, 
were  now  not  only  convinced  of  their  innocence,  but 
were,  moreover,  delighted  with  their  purity  and  fimplici- 

The  tenor  and  contents  of  the  confeffion  of  Augfburg 
are  well  known.  The  ftyle  that  reigns  in  it  is  plain,  ele- 
gant, grave,  and  peripicuous,  fuch  as  becomes  the  na- 
ture of  the  fubj eel.  The  matter  was,  undoubtedly,  fup- 
plied  by  Luther,  who>  during  the  diet,  refided  atCoburg, 
a  town  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Augfburg  ;  and,  even  the 
form  it  received  from  the  eloquent  pen  of  his  colleague, 
was  authorifed  in  confequence  of  his  approbation  and  ad- 
vice. This  confeffion  contains  twenty-eight  chapters,  of 
which  the  greateft  part  are  employed  in  reprefenting, 
with  perfpicuity  and  truth,  the  religious  opinions  of  the 
proteftants,  and  the  reft  in  pointing  out  the  errors  and 
abuies  that  occafioned  their  feparation  from  the  church 
of  Rome. 

The  creatures  of  the  Roman  pontiff,  who  were  pre- 
fent at  this  diet,  employed  John  Faber;  afterwards  biihop 
O  z  id 


1-6-  L .    U     T     H     E     R. 

of  Vienna,  together  with  Eckius,  and  another  doctor, 
named  Cochlasus,  to  draw  up  a  refutation  of  this  famous 
confeffion.  This  pretended  refutation  having  been  read 
publicly  in  the  affembly,  the  emperor  demanded  of  the 
proteftant  members  that  they  would  acquieice  in  it,  and 
put  an  end  to  their  religious  debates  by  an  unlimited  fub- 
miflion  to  the  doctrines  and  opinions  contained  in  this  an- 
fwer.  But  this  demand  was  far  from  being  complied 
with.  The  protectants  declared,  on  the  contrary,  that 
they  were  by  no  means  fatisfied  with  the  reply  of  their 
adversaries,  and  earneitly  defired  a  copy  of  it,  that  they 
might  demonftrate  more  fully  its  extreme  infufliciency 
and  weaknefs.  This  reafonable  requeft  was  refufed  by 
the  emperor,  who,  on  this  occafion,  as  well  as  on  fever al 
others,  mewed  more  regard  to  the  importunity  of  the 
pope's  legate  and  his  party,  than  to  the  demands  of  equity, 
candour,  andjuftice. 

On  the  19th  day  of  November,  a  fevere  decree  was 
iffued  out,  by  the  exprefs  order  of  the  emperor,  during 
the  abience  of  the  chief  iupporters  of  the  proteftant 
caufe  ;  and,  in  this  decree,  every  thing  was  manifeflly 
adapted  to  dejed  the  friends  of  religious  liberty,  if  we  ex- 
cept a  faint  and  dubious  promife  of  engaging  the  pope  to 
affemble  (in  about  fix  months  after  the  reparation  of  the 
diet)  a  general  council.  The  dignity  and  excellence  of 
the  papal  religion  are  extolled,  beyond  meafure,  in  this 
partial  decree  ;  a  new  decree  of  feverity  and  force,  added 
to  that  which  had  been  publimed  at  Worms  againft  Lu- 
ther and  his  adherents;  the  changes  that  had  been  intro- 
duced into  the  doctrine  and  difcipline  of  the  proteftant 
churches,  feverely  ceniured  ;  and  a  folemn  order  addref- 
fed  to  the  princes,  ftates,  and  cities,  that  had  thrown 
off  the  papal  yoke,  to  return  to  their  duty  and  their  alle- 
giance to  Rome,  on  pain  of  incurring  the  indignation  and 
vengeance  of  the  emperor,  as  the  patron  and  protector  of 
the  church-  . 

No 


LUTHER.  i<% 

No  fooner  were  the  elector  of  Saxony  and  the  confe- 
derate princes  informed  of  this  deplorable  iilhc  of  the  diet 
of  Augfourg,  than  they  aflembled  in  order  to  deliberate 
upon  the  meafures  that  were  proper  to  be  taken  on  this 
critical  ©ccaiion.  In  the  year  1530,  and  the  year  follow- 
ing, they  met,  firft  at  Smalcald,  afterwards  at  Frankfort, 
and  formed  a  folemn  alliance  and  confederacy,  with  the 
intention  of  defending  vigoroufly  their  religion  and  liber- 
ties againil  the  dangers  and  encroachments  with  which 
they  were  menaced.  Amidft  theie  emotions  and  prepa- 
rations, which  portended  an  approaching  rupture,  the 
elector  Palatine,  and  the  elector  of  Mentz,  offered  their 
mediation,  and  endeavoured  to  reconcile  the  contending 
princes. 

Many  projects  of  reconciliation  were  propofed;  and 
after  various  negociations,  a  treaty  of  peace  was  conclud- 
ed at  Nuremberg,  in  the  year  1532,  between  the  empe- 
ror and  the  proteiiant  princes,  on  the  following  conditions  ; 
that  the  latter  mould  furniih  a  iubfidy  for  carrying  on  the 
war  ag-ainft  the  Turk,  and  acknowledge  Ferdinand  lawful 
king  of  the  Romans  ;  and  that  the  emperor,  on  his  part, 
ihould  abrogate  and  annul  the  edicts  of  Worms  and 
Augfourg,  and  allow  the  Lutherans  the  free  and  unmo- 
lefted  exercife  of  their  religious  doctrine  and  difcipline, 
until  a  rule  of  faith  was  fixed  either  in  the  free  general 
council  that  was  to  be  aflembled  in  the  fpace  of  fix  months, 
or  in  a  diet  of  the  empire. 

The  religious  truce,  concluded  at  Nuremberg,  infpired 
with  new  vigour  and  refblution  all  the  friends  of  the  re- 
formation. It  gave  ftrength  to  the  feeble,  and  persever- 
ance to  the  bold.  Encouraged  by  it,  thofe  who  had  been 
hitherto  only  fecret  enemies  to  the  Roman  pontiff,  fpurned 
now  his  yoke  publicly,  and  refufed  to  fubmit  to  his  im- 
perious jurifdiction.  This  appears  from  the  various  cities 
and  provinces  in  Germany,  which,  about  this  time,  boldly 
cnliited  theaifelves  under  the  religious  itandard  of  Luther. 

About 


164  £    tr     T    H     E     R. 

About  the  beginning  of  the  year  1^27,  Luther  was 
attacked  by  a  very  fevere  illnefs,  which  brought  hini 
near  to  his  grave.  He  applied  himfelf  to  prayer,  made 
a  confeflion  of  his  faith,  and  lamented  grievoufly  his 
unworthinefs  of  martyrdom,  which  he  had  lb  often  and 
fo  ardently  defired.  In  this  iituation  he  my.de  a  will, 
for  he  had  a  fon,  and  his  wife  was  again  with  child,  in 
which  he  recommended  his  family  to  the  care  of  heaven : 
**■  Lord  God,  fays  he,  I  thank  thee,  that  thou  wouldeft 
M  have  me  poor  on  earth  and  a  beggar.  I  have  neither 
u  houfe,  norland,  nor  poffeflions,  nor  money,  to  leave. 
"  Thou  haft  given  me  a  wife  and  children  :  Take  them; 
"  I  befeech  thee,  under  thy  care  and  prefer ve  them,  as 
(<  thou  haft  preferved  me."  He  bequeathed  his  detef* 
tation  of  popery  to  his  friends  and  brethren;  agreeably 
to  what  he  often  ufed-  to  fay,  i.  e.  Living,  I  was  the 
plague  of  the  pope;  and  dying,  I  mail -be  his  death. 

Luther,  from  about  this  period,  having  laid  the  great 
foundation  of  the  reformation,  was  chiefly  employed  in 
railing  and  completing  the  fuperftruciure.  The  remain- 
der of  his  life  was  fpent,  in  exhorting  princes,  Hates-, 
and  univerlities,  to  confirm  the  great  work,  which  had 
been  brought  about  through  him  ;  and  in  publifhing  from 
time  to  time  fuch  writings,  as  might  encourage,  direct, 
and  aflift  them  in  doing  it.  The  emperor  threatened 
temporal  punifhment  with  armies ;  and  the  pope  eternal 
pains  with  bulls  and»curfes ;  but  Luther,  armed  with  the 
intrepidity  of  grace,  over  and  above  his  own  courageous 
nature,  regarded  neither  the  one  nor  the  other.  His 
friend  and  affifbftt  Melanclhon  could  not  be  fo  indifferent:; 
for  Melanclhon  had  a  great  deal  of  foftnefs,  moderation 
and  diffidence  in  his  conftitution,  which  made  him  very 
uneafy  and  alarmed  at  thefe  formidable  appearances. 
Hence  we  find  many  of  Luther's  letters  were  written  on 
purpofe  to  comfort  him  under  thefe  anxieties  :  "  I  am  (fays 
"  he;  in  one  of  thefe  letters)  much  weaker  than  you  in 

st  private 


LUTHER.  165 

"  private  conflicts,  if  I  may  call  thofe  conflicts  private, 
"  which  I  have  with  the  devil  j  but  you  are  much  weaker 
u  than  me  in  public.  You  are  all  diftruft  in  the  public 
11  caufe;  I,  on  the  contrary,  am  very  confident ;  becaufe 
H  I  know  it  is  a  juft  and  true  caufe,  the  caufe  of  God 
■  4  and  of  Chrift,  which  need  not  tremble  or  be  abafhed. 
"  But  the  cafe  is  different  with  me  in  my  private  con- 
"  flicts,  feeling  myfelf  a  raoft  miferable  finner,  and  there- 
<l  fore  have  great  reafon  to  look  pale  and  tremble.  Upon 
'•'  this  account  it  is,  that  I  can  be  almoft  an  indifferent 
"  fpectator  amidft  all  the  noify  threats  and  bully ings  of 
u  the  papifts;  for  if  we  fall,  the  kingdom  of  -Chrift  falls 
11  with  ns :  And  if  it  ihould  fall,  I  had  rather  fall  with 
"  Chrift  than  ftand  with  Cacfar."  So  again  a  little  far- 
ther: "  You,  Melan&hon,  cannot  bear  thefe  diibrders  ; 
"  and  labour  to  have  tilings  tranfacted  by  reafon,  and 
"  agreeably  to  that  fpirit  of  calmnefs  and  moderation, 
M  which  your  philofophy  dictates.  You  might  as  well 
U  attempt  to  be  mad  with  reafon.  Don't  you  fee,  that 
u  the  matter  is  entirely  out  of  your  power  and  ma- 
"  nagement,  and  that  even  Chrift  himfelf  forbids  your 
u  meafures  to  take  place  ?  If  the  caufe  be  bad,  indeed, 
u  let  us  renounce  it :  But  if  it  be  good,  why  do  we 
u  make  God  a  liar,  who  hath  promifed  to  fupport  us  ? 
*•  Does  he  make  his  promifes  to  the  wind,  or  to  his 
"  people?" 

Luther  preached  his  laft  fermon  at  Wittenburg  on  the 
feventeenth  of  January,  1546  ;  and,  on  the  twenty- 
third,  fet  out  for  Ifleben,  where  he  was  honorably  enter- 
tained by  the  count,  who  efcorted  him  to  his  apartments 
with  one  hundred  horfe.  Luther  attended  the  buiiuefs 
upon  which  he  came  from  the  twenty-ninth  of  January, 
to  the  feventeenth  of  February,  when  he  fickened  a  little 
before  fupper  of  his  ufual  illnefs.  This  was  an  oppref- 
fion  of  humors  in  the  opening  of  the  ftomach,  with 
which  Melancthon,  who  was  with  him,  had  feen  him  fre- 
quently 


1 66  LUTHER. 

quentiy  afflicted.  His  pain  increafed,  and  he  went  to 
bed,  where  he  flept  till  midnight,  when  he  awaked  in  fuch 
anguiih  that  he  found  his  life  was  near  at  an  end.  He 
then,  prayed  in  thele  words  :  "  I  pray  God  to  preferve 
*'  the  doctrine  of  his  goipel  among  us ;  for  the  pope 
**  and  the  council  of  Trent  "have  grievous  things  in 
"  hand."  After  which,  he  faid,  "  O  heavenly  Father, 
"  my  gracious  God,  and  Father  of  our  Lord  Jefus  Chriit, 
"  thou  God  of  all  confolation,  I  give  thee  hearty  thanks, 
"  thai  thou  hail  revealed  to  me  thy  Son  Jefus  Chrift, 
if  whom  I  believe,  whom  I  profefs,  whom  I  love,  whom 
f*  I  glorify,  and  whom  the  pope  and  the  multitude  of 
t*  the  wicked  do  perfecute  and  diihonour — I  befeech  thee, 
"  Lord  Jefus  Chriit,  receive  my  foul.  O  my  heavenly 
"  Father,  though  I  be  taken  out  of  this  life,  and  muft 
"  lay  down  this  frail  body  ;  yet  I  certainly  know,  that 
\%  I  ihall  live  with  thee  eternally,  and  that  I  cannot  be 
"  taken  out  of  thy  hands.  Cod  fo  loved  the  world,  <bc* 
(i  Lord,  I  render  up  my  fpirit  into  thy  hands,  and  come 
<l  to  thee.  Lord,  into  thy  hands  I  commend  my  fpirit  : 
"  Thou,  O  God  of  truth,  haft  redeemed  me!"  Albert 
count  of  Mansfield,  Melancthon,  Julius  Jonas,  and  feveral 
other  friends,  attended  him  in  his  laft  moments,  joining 
him  in  prayer,  that  God  would  preferve  the  doclrine  of 
his  gofpel  among  them.  Melancthon-  fays  of  Luther,  that 
having  frequently  repeated  his  prayers,  he  was  called  to 
God,  i  unto  whom  he  fo  faithfully  commended  his  fpirit,. 
<  to  enjoy,  no  doubt,  the  bleffed  fociety  of  the  patriarchs, 
'  prophets,  and  apoftles,  in  the  kingdom  of  God  the  Fa- 
c  ther,  the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Ghoif.' 

Luther  died  on  the  eighteenth  of  February,  1546,  in 
the  fixty-fourth  year  of  his  age.  A  thoufand  fabfes  have 
been  invented  concerning  his  death ;  nor  would  his  ene- 
mies forbear  publifhing  lies  on  this  fubjecl  long  after  he 
had  left  this  world.  Some  have  faid,  that  he  died  fud- 
denly  ;  others  that  he  killed  himfelf ;  and  fome  have  im- 
pudently 


LUTHER.  167 

pudently  proceeded  fo  far  as  to  give  out  that  he  Was 
taken  away  by  the  devil.  Nor  are  they  people  of  mean 
figure  or  credit,  who  vent  thefe  calumnies,  but  the  moft 
famous  writers,  as  Cochlseus,  Beflacus,  Bozius,  Fabianus, 
Jultinian,  and  Bellarmine.  This,  fays  Bayle,  reflects  on 
the  whole  body  of  popery  ;  for  iuch  fables  ought  not  to 
pafs  the  prefs.  He  was  honourably  interred  at  Witten- 
berg. 

Luther  left  a  widow,  three  ions,  and  two  daughters. 
Whilit  the  troops  of  Charles  V.  were  at  Wittenberg,  in 
the  year  1547,  the  Spaniards  folicited  the  emperor  to, 
pull  down  Luther's  monument,  and  wanted  to  dig  up 
his  bones :  But  the  emperor  had  more  generoiity  and 
prudence,  than  to  confent  to  a  procedure  fo  bafe  and 
infamous. 

His  commentary  on  the  epiftle  to  the  Galatians,  was 
his  favourite  work,  which  he  uled  to  call  his  wife,  his 
Catharine  de  Bore. 

His  favourite  doctrine  was  j  unification  by  faith  alone, 
and  not  by  works,  moral,  legal,  or  evangelical  :  But  we 
muft  do  him  the  juftice  to  obferve,  that  he  perpetually- 
inculcated  the  abfolute  neceflity  of  good  works.  Accord- 
ing to  him,  a  man  is  juftirled  only  by  faith ;  but  he  cannor 
be  juftified  without  works;  and  where  thofe  works  are 
not  to  be  found,  there  is  alTuredly  no  true  faith. 

It  has  alfo  been  laid  of  Luther,  that  it  was  a  great 
miracle  a  poor  friar  ihould  be  able  to  ftand  againft  the 
pope  :  It  was  a  greater  that  he  mould  prevail  :  And  the 
greateft  of  all,  that  he  Ihould  die  in  peace,  -as  well  as 
Erafmus,  when  furrounded  by  fo  many  enemies. 

The  doctrine  of  his  eminent  divine,  and  great  reform- 
er, was  foon  extended  through  all  Germany,  Denmark, 
Sweden,  England,  and  other  countries,  under  different 
modifications. 

Luther's  works  were  collected  after  his  death,  and 
printed  at  Wittenberg  infeven  volumes  folio. 

Our 


1 68  LUTHER* 

Our  ferious  readers  will,  perhaps,  be  pleafed  with  the 
infertion  of  fome  remarkable  fajings  and  obfervations  of 
this  great  man.  Erafmus  confefled,  i  that  there  was 
'  more  folid  divinity  contained  in  one  leaf  of  Luther's 
'  commentaries,  than  could  be  found  in  many  prolix 
\  treatifes  of  fchoolmen,  and  fuch  kind  of  authors.' 
Speaking  of  the  pope's  ufing  the  mafs  for  departed  fouls, 
Luther,  obferved,,  that  u  he  with  his  mafs  was  not  fatis- 
iC  fied  to  thruft  himfelf  into  all  corners  of  the  earth,  but 
"  he  mult  needs  go  tumbling  down  into  the  very  bofom 
©f  hell.* 

He  ufed  to  call  the  indulgence-merchants,  purfe-threfh- 
ers. 

There  were  many  plots  laid  againft  his  life,  which  the 
bloody  papifts  fought  after  by  all  means.  Poifon,  dag- 
gers, piftols,  were  intended ;  when  fire  and  faggot  could 
not  be  ufed,  through  the  elector's  protection.  A  Polifh 
Jew  was  hired  for  2000  crowns  to  poifon  him.  "  The 
*f  plot  (fays  Luther)  was  difcovered  to  me  by  the  letters 
"  of  my  friends.  He  is  a  doctor  of  phyiic,  .and  dares  to 
"  attempt  any  thing :  He  would  go  about  this  bufinefs 
"  with  incredible  craft   and  agility.     He  is  juft  now  ap- 

*f  prehended." However,  God  preferved   him  from 

the  malice  of  his  enemies.  It  fhews,  however,  what 
papifts  can  attempt  (fays  Melchior  Adam) ;  and  if  we 
wanted  further  proof  of  it,  the  words  of  Alexander,  the 
pope's  legate,  are  quite  fufficient.  '  Though  you  Ger- 
*  mans  (faid  he),  who  ^>ay  the  leaft  of  all  people  to 
1  the  Roman  fee,  have  ihaken  off  the  pope's  yoke ;  yet 
c  we  will  take  care,  that  ye  fhall  be  devoured  with  civil 
f  wars,  and  perilh  in  your  own  blood.' — A  pious  refo- 
Jution  indeed ! 

When  Luther's  bold  manner  of  exprefFmg  himfelf  was 
cenfured,  he  replied;  "  Almoftali  men  condemn  my  tart- 
"  nefs  of  expreflion  ;  but  I  am  of  your  opinion,  (fays  he 
rf  to  his  friend)   that  God  will  have  the  deceits  of  men 

"  thus 


LUTHER. 


6y 


<*  thus  powerfully  expofed.  Far  I  plainly  perceive,  that 
*<  thole  things,  which  are  foftly  dealt  with  in  our  cor- 
«  rupt  age,  give  people  but  light  concern,  and  are  pre- 
<<  fently  forgotten — If  I  have  exceeded  the  bounds  of 
"  moderation,  the  monilrous  turpitude  of  the  times  has 
"  transported  me.  Nor  do  I  tranfeend  the  example  of 
"  Chriit,  who,  having  to  do  with  men  of  hke  manners, 
*'  called  them  iharply  by  their  own  proper  names,  inch 
*f  as,  an  adulterous  and  perverfe  generation,  a  brood  of 
"  vipers,  hypocrites,  children  of  the  devil,  who  could  not 

"  e/'eape  the  damnation  of  hell." Eralmus,  with  all  hi3 

refinement,  could  own,  '  That  God  had  lent  in  Luther 
1  a  iharp  phyfician,  in  confideraticn  of  the  immenlity  of 
'  the  difeafes,  which  had  infected  this  lad  age  of  the 
<  world/ 

Luther  cauled  the  Pfalms,  ufed  inworfliip,  to  be  trans- 
lated into  German.  "  We  intend  (fays he  to  Spalatinns), 
"  after  the  example  of  the  prophets  and  primitive  fathers' 
"  of  the  church,  to  turn  the  Pfalms,  for  fpiritual  iing- 
"  ing,  into  the  vulgar  tongue  for  the  common  people- 
u  fo  that  the  word  of  God  may  remain  among  the  people 
"  even  in  their  Tinging.  Upon  this  account,  we  feek 
"  for  fome  poets  j  And  as  you  poiTefs  the  copioufnefs 
"  and  elegance  of  the  German,  which  you  have  greatly 
"  cultivated ;  I  would  requeft  your  afliftance  in  this 
tl  bufmefsi  'Letthefenfe  be  clear,  and  as  clofe  as  pof- 
"  iible  to  the  original.  To  preferve  the  fenie,  when  you 
"  cannot  render  word  for  word,  it  may  be  right  to  ufe 
"  fuch  a  phraie  as  will  moft  perfectly  convey  the  idea. 
"  I  confefs,  I  am  not  fuiiiciently  qualified  myfelf ;  and 
'!  therefore  would  requeft  you  to  try  how  near  you  can 
"  approach  to  Heman,  Afaph,  and  Jeduthun." 

He  ufed  to  fay  of  himfeif  and  the  other  minifters  • 
V  Vve  are  only  planters  and  waterers,  in  adoiiniftrin<y 
I  the  word  and  facraments  ;  but  the  increafe  is  not  in  our 
"  power. " 

Concerning 


i;o  L     U    T     H     E     R. 

Concerning  our  righteoufhefs,  he  obferved ;  «  Thou, 
"  Lord  jefus,  art  my  righteoufnefs ;  but  I  am  altogeth- 
"  er  fin  :,  Thou  halt  taken  what  was  mine,  and  haft 
"  given  me  what  was  thine ;  thou  haft  taken  what  thou 
tl  waft  not,  and  haft    given  me  what  I  had  qot  before. " 

Reflecting  ceremonies,  he  faid ;  "  1  condemn  no  cere- 
€t  monies,  but  fuch  as  oppofe  or  obfcure  the  gofpel." 

With  regard,  to  human  learning,  he  thusexpreffed  him- 
felf;  "  I  .am  perfuaded,  that  true  divinity  could  not  well 
*i  he  fupported  without  the  knowledge  of  letters  :  Of 
6e  this  we  have  fad  proof,  for  while  learning  was  decayed 
c(  and  in  ruins,  theology  fell  too,  and  lay  moft  wretchedly 
i *  obfcured.  I  am  fure,  that  the  revelation  and  mani- 
"  feftation  of  the  word  of  God  would  never  have  been 
"  fo  extenfive  and  glorious  as  it  is,  if  preparatorily,  like 
"  fo  many  John  Baptifts  fmoothing  the  way,  the  knovv- 
6i  ledge  of  languages  and  good  learning  had  not  rifen  up 

u  among  us.- They  are   moft  exceedingly  miftaken, 

"  who  imagine,  that  the  knowledge   of  nature  and  true 
"  philofophy  is  of  no  ufe  to  a  divine." 

He  advifed,  in  the  cafe  of  temptations,  in  this  manner  ; 
"  I  would  comfort  thofe,  that  are  tried  in  their  faith 
*'  and  hope  towards  God,  in  this  way  ;  jirft,  let  them 
<l  avoid  foljtarinefs,  keep  always  in  good  company,  fing 
<s  the  pfalms,  and  converfe  upon  the  holy  fcriptures. 
<'  Secondly,  Though  it  be  the  moft  difficult  point  to 
•"  work  upon  the  mind,  yet  it  is  the  moft  prefent  remedy, 
"  if  they  can,  through  grace,  perfuade  themfelves,  that 
<(  thele  grievous  thoughts  are  not  their  own,  but  Satan's  ; 
"  and  that,  therefore,  they  mould  earneftly  endeavour  to 
11  turn  the  heart  to  other  objects,  and  quit  thefe  evil 
."  fugo-eftions  :  For  to  dwell  upon  them,  or  fight  with 
"  them,  or  to  aim  to  overcome  them,  or  to  wait  for  an 
"  end  of  them  ;  is  only  to  irritate  and  ftiengthen  them, 
ti  even  to  perdition,  without  relief." 

Luther 


L     U     T     II     E     R.  171 

Luther  frequently  faid  ;  "  That  a  preacher  mould  take 
*'«  care  not  to  bring  three  little  ily  clogs  into  his  pro* 
"  fefiion;  viz.  piude,  covetoussess  ,  and  emvy." 
To  which  he  added  to  preachers  ;  "  When  you  obierve 
'♦  the  people  hear  moft  attentively  ;  be  afTured,  they  will 
"  return  the  more  readily.  Three  things  make  a  divine, 
u  meditation,  prayer,  and  temptation.  And  three  things 
"  are  to  be  remembered  by  a  miniiter  ;  turn  aver  and  over 
tl  the  bible ;  praj)  devoutly  ;  and  be  never  above  learning.— 
*'  They  are  the  bert  preachers  for  the  common  people, 
li  who  ipeak  in  the  meaneit,  lowed,  humbleft,  and  molt 
"  funple  ityle." 

In  private  life,  Luther  was  an  example  of  the  ftrifteft 
virtue.  At  dinner  or  fupper,  he  would  often  diftate 
matter  of  preaching  to  others,  or  correct  the  prefs  ;  and 
fometimes  amufe  hi  ml  elf  with  mufk,  in  which  he  took 
great  delight.  Though  a  large  man,  he  was  a  very  mo- 
derate eater  and  drinker,  and  not  at  all  delicate  in  his 
appetite,  for  he  ufually  fed  upon  the  fimpleft  diet.  He 
much  delighted  in  his  garden,  and  was  very  fond  of  cul- 
tivating it  with  ail  kinds  of  plants-  In  fhort,  he  was 
never  idle. 

Though  he  had  not  much  himfelf,  he  very  freely  be- 
llowed of  what  he  had  upon  others.  A  poor  ftadent, 
aiking  money  of  him,  he  deiired  his  wife' to  give  fome, 
who  excufing  herfelf  on  account'  of  their  poverty  ;  he 
,  took  up  a  filver  cup  and  gave  it  to  the  "fcholar,  bidding 
him  to  fell  it  to  the  goldfmith,  and  keep  the  money  for 
his  occafions.  When  a  friend  fent  him  two  hundred 
pieces  of  gold,  he  beflowed  them  all  on  poor  fcholars* 
And  when  the  elector  gave  him  a  new  gown,  he  wrote 
in  anfwer,  "  That  too  much  was  done;  for  if  we  receive 
"  all  in  this  life,  we  mall  have  nothing  to  hope  for  in 
{i  the  next."  He  took  nothing  of  printers,  for  his  works, 
to  his  own  ufe,  faying,  "  ?Tis  true,  I  have  no  money, 
u  but  am  indeed  poor  ;  yet  I  deal- in  this  moderate  raan- 

Si  ner 


172  LUTHER. 

"  ner  with  printers,  and  take  nothing  from  them  for  my 
"  variety  of  labours,  except  fometimes  a  copy  or  two. 
'•  This,  I  believe,  may  be  clue  to  me,  when  other  au- 
"  thors,  even  tranflators,  for  every  iheet  have  their  ftipu- 
u  lated  price.''  When  he  had  fome  money  fent  him,  he 
wrote  thus  to  a  friend  ;  "  I  have  received  by  Tauben- 
M  heim  an  hundred  pieces  of  gold  ;  and  at  the  fame  time 
"  Schart  has  fent  me  fifty  ;  fo  that  I  begin  to  fear,  left 
"  God  mould  give  me  my  portion  here.  But  I  folemn- 
11  ly  proteft,  that  I  would  not  be  fatisfied  from  Him  :  I 
"  will  either  prefently  return,  or  get  rid  of  them.  For 
44  what  is  fo  much  money  to  me  ?  I  have  given  half  of 
"  it  to  Prior,  and  made  him  very  happy." 

He  had  great  tendernefs  for  his  family.  When  he  faw 
Magdalen  his  eldeft  daughter  at  the  point  of  death,  he 
read  to  her  this  pafiage  from  the  xxvith  of  Ifaiah  ;  Thy 
dead  men  fiall  live,  together  -with  my  dead  body  fiall  they 
arife  :  Awake  and  fng,  ye  that  dwell  in  the  dujr  ;  for  thy 
dew  is  as  the  dew  of  herbs,  and  the  earth  fo  all  c  oft  out  the 
dead\  Come,  my  people,  enter  thou  into  thy  chambers  and 
Jhiit  thy  doors  ahVut  thee.-  Hide  thy  f elf  a  i  it  were  for  a  liitle 
moment,  until  the  indignation  he  overpaji.  "  My  daughter, 
i(  do  thou  enter  (fays  he)  into  thy  chamber  with  peace  : 
"  I  fhail  loon  be  with  thee  ;  for  God  will  not  permit  me 
"  to  fee  the  judgments,  that  hang  over  Germany."  And 
upon  this  he  poured  forth  a  flood  of  tears.  Yet  after- 
wards, when  he  attended  the  funeral,  he  contained  hirn- 
felf,  fo  as  not  to  appear  to  weep. 

Being  once  alked,  Whether  we  fbould  know  each  other  in 
heaven?  he  anfwered  ;  "  How  was  it  with  Adam?  He 
4t  had  never  feen  Eve ;  for  when  God  formed  her,  he 
41  was  in  a  deep  fleep,  yet  when  he  awaked  and  faw  her, 
"  he  did  not  aik,  Who  me  was?  or  from  whence  fhe 
"  came?  but  immediately  faid,  that  me  was  flem  of  his 
"  fieih,  and  bone  of  his  bone.  How,  tl>en,  did  he  know 
"  this?  Being  filled  with   the  Holy  Spirit,  and   endued 

with 


LUTHER.  173 

«  with  the  true  knowledge  of  God,  he  was  able  to  de- 
"  termine  upon  the  nature  of  things — In  like  manner, 
«<  we  ihall  be  perfectly  renewed  hereafter  through  Chrilt ; 
**  and  lhall  know,  with  far  greater  perfection  than  ] 
"  be  conceived  of  here,  our  deareft  relations,  and  indeed 
"  whatever  exifts  ;  and  in  a  mode,  too,  much  fuperior  to 
u  that  of  Adam  in  paradife." 

If  we  would  know  what  was  the  ground  of  this  won- 
derful man's  magnanimity,   it  cannot  be  better  exprefled 
than  it  is  by  himielf  in  a  letter  to  Spalatinus,  during  the 
diet  of  Augfburgh ;    "   That    kings,    and  princes,   and 
«<  people,    (fays    he)  rage    againit   Chrift,    the    Lord's 
ec  anointed,  I  efteem  a  good  fign,  and  a  much  belter  one 
"  than   if  they  flattered.     For  it  follows  upon  this,  that 
"  he,  who  dwelleth   in   heaven,  laughs    them   to  fcorn. 
<>  And  if  our  head  laugh,  I  fee  no  reafon  why  we  iliould 
#  weep  before   the  faces  of  fuch   beings.     He  does   not 
t(  laugh  for  his  own  fake,  but  for  our's,  that  we,  putting 
<<  the  more  truft  in  him,  might  deipiie  their  empty  de- 
<<  figns;  of  lb   great  need  is  faith,  that   the    caufe   and 
u  ground  of  it  is  not  to  be  perceived  without  faith.     He, 
"   who  began  this  work,  began  it  without  our  advice  and 
"  contrivance ;  he  hath  hitherto  protected  it.;   and  hath 
"  ordered  the  whole  above  and  beyond  our  couni'els  and 
ci  imaginations.     He  alio,  I  rnakaWo  doubt,  will  carry 
u  on  and  complete  the  fame,  withoirt  and  above  all  our 
u  conceptions  and  cares.     I  know  and  am  allured  of  this, 
"  for  I  reit  the  whole  upon  him,  who  is  able  to  do  above 
"  all  that  we  can  aik  or  thinlcj     Yet  our  friend  Philip 
"  Melancthon  will  contrive  and  defire,  that  God  fhould 
u   work  according  to  and  within  the  compels  of  his  puny 
"  notions,  that  he  may  have  fomewhat  whereof  to  glory. 
"  Certainly  (he  would  fay)  thus  and  thus  it  ought  to  be 
u  done;  and  thus  and   thus  would  I  do  it.'     But  this  is 
"  poor    ilnff:   <  Thus  I  Philip  would  do  it.j  "   This  (I) 
"  is  mighty    flat.     But   hear  how    this   reads;    I  AM 
P  2  "  THAT 


174  L     U     T     H    E     R. 

<<  THAT  I    AM,  this   is  bis  name   JEHOVAH  :    HE, 

"  even  HE,  will  do  it But  I  have  done.     Be  ftrong 

4<  in  the  Lord,  and  exhort  Melancthon  from  me,  that  he 
"  aim  not  to  fit  in  God's  throne,  but  fight  againf)  that 
"  innate,  that  devilimly  implanted  ambition  of  our's, 
*c  which  would  ufnrp  the  place  of  God  ;  for  that  am- 
"  bition  will  never  farther  our  caufe.  It  thruft  Adam 
"  and  Eve  out  of  paradife  ;  and  this  alone  perplexes  us, 
44  and  turns  our  feet  from  the  way  of  peace.  We  muft 
"  be  men,  and  not  gods."  The  proteftant  champion 
knew  full  well  where  his  ftrength  lay — not  in  himfelf, 
but  in  his  Sovereign.  If  deferted  by  his  Covenant-head, 
he  felt  the  deep  conviction,  that  every  reed  might  make 
hirn  tremble,  and  every  blaft  of  trial  cart  him  down. 
He  knew  (to  ufe  the  *wcrds  of  a  late  writer)  that  *  if 
*  God  changed  from  his  purpofe  of  faving  a  man,  when- 
'  ever  the  man,  left  to  his  own  will,  would  change  from 
4  the  defire  of  being  faved,  he  rauft  renounce  the  ftrong- 
'  eft  believer  upon  earth,  in  five  minutes  after  he  bad 
4  committed  him  to  himfelf. r# — But  Luther  had  not  so 
learned  Chrift. 

Luther's  memorable  proteftation,  upon  the  article  of 
juftiricationfl  muft  not  be  omitted,  and  with  it  we  mall 
ciofe  this  account  of  his  life.  "  I,  Martin  Luther, 
"  an  unworthy  preaoher  of  the  gofpel  of  our  Lord  Jefus- 
44  Chrift,  thus  profefs,  and  thus  believe;  that  this  article,, 
"  That  faith  alone,  without  works,  can  jus- 
44  TiFY  before  God,  lli all  never  be  overthrown  neither 
"  by  the  emperor,  nor  by  the  Turk,  nor  by  the  Tartar, 
"  nor  by  the  Perfian,  nor  by  the  pope,  with  all  his 
"  cardinals,  biihops,  facrificers,  monks,  nuns,  kings,. 
u  princes,  powers  of  the  world,  nor  yet  by  all  the 
"  devils  in  hell.  I  his  article  mall,  fraud  faft,  whether 
"  they  will  or  no.  This  is  the  true  gofpel.  Jefus 
'*  Chrift  redeemed  us  from  our  fins,  and  he  only.  This 
u  moft  tirm  and  certain  truth  is  the  voice  of  fcripture, 

*«  though 


L    13     T     HER. 


*75 


though  the  world  and  all  the  devils  rage  and  roar. 
If  Chrift  alone  take  away  our  tins,  we  cannot  do  this 
with  our  works:  and  as  it  is  impollible  to  embrace 
Chrift  but  by  faith,  it  is,  therefore,  equally  impollible 
to  apprehend  him  by  works.  If  then  faith  alone  mud 
apprehend  Chriit,  before  works  can  follow,  the  conclu- 
fion  is  irrefragable  ;  that  faith  alpne  apprehends  him, 
before  and  without  the  coniideration  of  works  :  And 
this  fe  our  justification  and  deliverance  from  iin»  Then, 
and  not  till  then,  good  works  follow  faith,  as  its  ne- 
ceffary  and  infeparable  Bruit.  This  is  the  doclrine  I 
teach  ;  and  this  the  Koly  Spirit  and  church  of  the 
faithful  have  delivered.     In  this  will  I  abide.  Amen." 


f^Li""  '  11  J  -1  j      1    _■   ■—■■■■II— 1    —ii     »>rt*Ltjy^ 

JOHN     CALVIN, 

THE  EVANGELIC  REFORMER. 


THIS  eminent  reformer  was  born,  on  the  tenth  of 
July,  1509,  at  Noyon,  a  city  of  France.  His  pa- 
rents enjoyed  a  decent  fortune,  and  beftowed  on  him 
a  liberal  education.  In  all  the  branches  of  literature  then 
known,  his  Studies  were  attended  with  the  moft  amazing 
and  rapid  fuccefs.     He  was  originally  defigned  for   the 

church, 


176  C    A    L     V     r    N- 

church,  and  had  actually  obtained  a  benefice ;  but  the 
light  that  broke  in  upon  his  religious  fentiments,  as  well 
as  the  preference  given  by  his  father  to  the  profemon  of 
the  law.,  induced  him  to  give  up  his  ecclefiaftical  vocation, 
which  he  afterwards  refumed  in  a  purer  church. 

Calvin  made  great  progrefs  in  the  civil  law ;  and  pur- 
fued  his  private  ftudies  in  the  holy  Scriptures  with  equal 
fuccefs.  He  was  incited  to  the  latter  by  Melchior  WoU 
mar,  who  was  profefTor.  of  Greek  at  Bourges,  and  fecret- 
ly  a  Lutheran. 

While  Calvin  was  ftudying  the  civil  law  at  Bourges,  he 
preached  feveral  fermons  in  a  neighbouring  town  called 
Liveria  :  But  his  father  died  in  153^  ;  on  which  account 
he  returned  to  Paris,  in  the  twenty-third  year  of  his  age, 
with  a  reiblution  to  make  divinity  his  principal  ftudy. 
Soon  after  he  came  back  to  Paris,  he  became  acquainted 
with  all  thole  who  profefied  the  reformed  religion;  and 
about  this  time,  he  embraced  the  doctrine  of  the  re- 
formers, and   began    publickly  to  teach  it. 

Calvin  was  efreemed  in  the  French  congregations,  as 
one  of  the  moil  able  and  beft  qualified-  men  to  teach  and 
defend  the  doctrine  of  the  reformation,  which  had  been 
introduced  into  that  kingdom..  His  zeal  expofed  him  to 
various  perils,  and  the  connexion  he  had  formed  with  the 
friends  of  the  reformation,  whom  Francis  I.  was  daily  com- 
mitting to  the  flames,  placed  him  more  than  once  in 
imminent  danger,  from  which  he  was  delivered  by  the 
good  offices  of  the  queen  of  Navarre.  To  efcape  the  im- 
pending ftorms  he  returned  to  Bafil,  where  he  publim- 
cd  his  Chrijlian  Inftitutions  ;  and  prefixed  to  them  that 
famous  dedication  to  Francis  I.  which  has  attracted  the 
admiration  of  fucceeding  ages,  and  which  was  intended 
to  foften  the  fury  of  that  prince  againit  the  proteftants. 
The  Inititution  are  a  body  of  divinity,  containing  the  doc- 
trines of  the  Christian  religion,,  in  a  diflinct  and  eafy 
method.  It  was  publifhed  in  1535,  and  afterwards  trani- 
lated  into  almoft  all  the  languages  of  Europe. 

^  '  .       ;         When 


C     A    L     V     I     ft  177 

When  Calvin  had  publimed  this  book,  he  made  a  jour- 
ney into  Italy,  to  wait  on  the  duchefs  of  Ferrara,  the 
daughter  of  Lewis  XII.  She  was  a  princefs  of  exemplary 
piety,  and  a  favourer  of  the  reformation.  Calvin  met 
with  a  very  gracious  reception  from  her  :  But  the  duke 
of  Ferrara  would  not  fuffer  him  to  continue  long  with  his 
duchefs  ;  and  he  returned  into  France,  to  fettle  his  affairs 
in  that- kingdom,  from  whence  he  prepared  tofet  out  for 
Strafburgn,  or  Bafil. 

The  war  had  left  no  other  paflage,  but  through  the 
duke  of  Savoy's  dominions,  which  obliged  them  to  take 
thatcourfe.  This  feemed  a  particular  direction  of  Pro- 
vidence, that  deiigned  him  for  Geneva,  where  he  wa*s 
kindly  entertained  by  William  Farel,  who  detained  him 
there,  as  it  were,  by  an  order  from  above. 

Farel  was  a  man  of  a  truly  heroic  fpirit,  and  ufed  a 
great  many  arguments  to  prevail  with  Calvin  to  ftay  and 
ailift  him  at  Geneva,  rather  than  proceed  any  farther. 
Calvin  was  unwilling  to  continue  there,  till  Farel  f aid  to 
him,  *  Behold,  I  declare  to  you,  in  the  name  of  Almigh- 
'  ty  God,  thacunlefs  you  will  here  become  fellow- labourer 
'  in  the  work  of  the  Lord,  "his  curfe  will  be  upon  yoit, 
'  for  feeking  yourfelf  rather  than  ChnnV  Peter  Viret 
feconded  Farel,  and  Calvin  then  fubmkted  to  the  judg- 
ment of  the  prefoytery  and  magiftrates;  by  whofe  fuf- 
frages,  together  with  the  confent  of  the  people,  he  was 
choien  preacher,  and  divinity  profeflbr.  He  complied 
with  the  latter,  and  would  have  declined  the  former  ;  but 
he  was  obliged  to  undertake  both  functions.  Calvin  after- 
wards called  Farel  his  "  fellow-labourer,  to  whom  the 
"  Genevefeowed  eventhemfelves;  that  he  was  the  father 
"  of  their  liberty,  and  the  founder  of  their  church.-" 

Hooker  has  given  the  full  character  of  Calvin,  as  head 
of  the  Genevan  difcipline.  '  A  founder  it  had,  whom  for 
*  mine  own  part,   I  think  incomparably  the  wifeit  man 

<  that 


i78  C     A     L    V     I    N. 

*  that  ever  the  French  church  did  enjoy,  finc6  it  enjoyed 
'  him.  His  bringing  up  was  in  the  ftudy  of  the  civil  law, 

*  Divine  knowledge  he  gathered  not  by  hearing  or  read- 
c  ing  fo  much,  as  by  teaching  others  :  For  though  thouf- 
'  ands  were  debtors  to  him,  as  touching  knowledge  in 
'  that  kind ;   yet  he  to  none,  but  only  to  God,  the  au- 

*  thor  of  that  blelfed  fountain,  the  book  of  life  ;  and  of 
'   the  admirable  dexterity  of  wit,  together  with  the  helps 

*  of  other   learning,  which    were  his  guides;  till  being 

*  occafioned  to  leave  France,  he  fell  at  the  length  upon 

*  Geneva,  which  city  the  bifhop  and  clergy  thereof  had 
'  a  little  before  foriaken,  as  fome  do  affirm;  being  of 
'  likelihood  frighted  with  the  people's  fudden  attempt, 
'  for    the    aboiiiLment  of  the  popiih  religion.     At    the 

*  coming  of  Calvin  thrther,  the  form  of  their  civil  regi- 
'  men  was  popular,  as  it  continueth  to  this  day  ;  neither 

*  king,  ncr   duke,  nor  noblemen,    of  any    authority  or 

*  power  over    them  ;  but  officers  ehoien  by  the  people, 

*  yearly  out  of  themfelves,  to  order  ail  things  with  public 

*  eonfent.     For  fpiritual  government  they  had  no  laws  at 

*  all  agreed  upon  ;  but  did  what  the  pallors  of  their  fouls 

*  by  periuafion  could  win  them  unto.     Calvin  coniidered  j 

*  how  dangerous  it  was,  that  the  whole  create  of  that 
4  church  fhouki  hang  fall  on  fo  ilender  a  thread,  as  the 

'  liking  of  an  ignorant  multitude,   if  it  have   power  to  j 

*  change  whatsoever  itfelf  liketh.  Wherefore  taking  untc*  ] 
1  him  two  of  the  other  miniftersfor  more  countenance  of 

?  the  action,,  albeit  the  reft  were  all  againil  it,  they  moved! 
'  and  perfuaded  the  people  to  bind  themfelves  by  folemn 
*"  oath,  firftj  never   to    admit  the  papacy  among!!  them 
'  again  ;    and9fecotid!y,  to  live  in  obedience  unto  fuch  or-*] 

*  ders,  concerning  the  exercile  of  their  religion,  and  the 

'  form  of  their  eccleliaftical  government,  as  thofe  their  j 
fe  true  and  faithful  miniRers  of  God's  word,  had,  agree-  | 
i  able  to  Scripture,   fet  down  to  that  end  and  purpofe.*! 

Hen  ceil 


CALVIN.  179 

Hence  it  appears,  how  extremely  falfe  and  nnjuft  the  ex- 
clamations of  the  papifts  againft  Calvin  are,  that  he  fub- 
verted  the  government,  and  turned  the  ibite  of  Geneva 
into  confuiion  ;  whereas  the  truth  is,  the  biihop  of  Geneva 
who,  like  fome  other  prince-bifhops  in  Germany,  claimed 
the  office  of  ruler,  was  expelled  long  before  Calvin's  ar- 
rival ;  and  as  the  government  was  modelled  into  its  de- 
mocratic  form,  previous  to  his  reiideuce,  he  did  not  be- 
lieve that  he  had  any  divine  authority  to  alter  the  civil 
conuitution,  if  k  had  even  been  in  his  power. 

This  reformation  of  doctrines  had  not  removed  that 
corruption  of  manners  which  had  prevailed  in  Geneva ; 
nor  that  factious  fpirit  which  had  lb  much  divided  the 
principal  families.  I  herefore  Calvin,  afliited  by  his  col- 
leagues Farel  and  Caroldus,  declared,  that  as  all  their  re- 
monftrances  had  proved  ineffectual,  they  could  not  cele- 
brate the  holy  facrament  while  thole  disorders  continued. 
They  alfo  agreed,  that  they  would  no  longer  fubmit  to 
the  constitutions  that  the  fynod  of  Bern  had  made ;  and 
they  defired  to  be  heard  in  the  fynod  which  was  held  at 
Zurick. 

The  church  of  Geneva  made  ufe  of  leavened  bread  in 
the  communion  ;  they  had  removed  the  baptifmal  fonts 
out  of  the  churches ;  and  abolifhed  all  feilivals  except 
Sundays.  But  the  churches  of  the  canton  of  Bern  dis- 
approved of  thefe  three  things ;  and,  by  an  act  made  in 
the  fynod  of  Lauianne,  required  that  the  ufe  of  unleav- 
ened bread,  the  baptifmal  fonts,  and  the  feflivals  ihould  be 
re-eftablifhed  in  Geneva.  Thefe  were  the  regulations 
with  which  Calvin  refufed  to  comply. 

The  fyndics  of  Geneva  fummoned  the  people  in  1538  ; 
and  Calvin,  Farel,  and  Courant,  prefented  themfelves  be- 
fore the  council,  offering  to  make  good  their  confeflion  of 
faith.  The  Syndics  favoured  the  difcontented  party,  and 
were  catholics  in  their  hearts.  The  council,  under  pre- 
tence of  preferving the  liberties  and  privileges  of  the  city; 

and 


i  So  C    A    L    V    I    N. 

and  becaufe  Calvin  and  his  friends  would  not  conform  to 
the  cuftom  of  Bern  in  celebrating  the1  communion,  made 
an  order  to  enjoin  thofe  three  members  to  leave  the  city 
in  three  days.  When  this  decree  was  brought  to  Calvin, 
he  faid,  '<  Truly,  if  I  had  ferved  men,  I  mould  have  had 
ei  an  ill  reward :  But  it  is  well  that  I  have  ferved  him, 
il  who  doth  always  perform  to  his  fervants  what  he  hath 
c<  once  promifed." 

Calvin  had  no  maintenance  from  the  city,  and  lived  at 
his  own  expence.  Be  went  to  Baiil,  and  from  thence  to 
Stralburgh,  where  Bucer  and  Capito  gave  him  every  mark 
of  their  eileem.  He  was  alio  careded  by  Fedio,  and  other 
learned  men,  who  procured  him  permiifion  from  the  ma- 
giftrates  to  let  up  a  French  church,  of  which  he  became 
the  pafior,  and  had  a  competent  maintenance  allowed  him 
there.     He  was  alfo  made  profeflbr  of  divinity. 

While  Calvin  was  abfent  from  Geneva,  cardinal  Sadolet 
wrote  an  eloquent  letter  to  the  inhabitants  of  that  city,  to 
exhort  them  to  return  into  the  bofom  of  theRomiih  church. 
Calvin  anfwered  that  letter  in  1539;  in  which  he  mani- 
fefted  his  affection  for  the  church  of  Geneva,  and  difap- 
pointed  the  views  which  the  bifhop  ofCarpentras  had  en- 
tertained in  his  fine  artful  letter  to  that  {late. 
fit  The  time  was  now  come  for  eftablifhing  the  church  at 
Geneva,  by  recalling  Calvin.  The  Syndics  who  had  pro- 
moted the  decree  of  banifliment  were  dead  or  banilhed  ; 
and  the  people  were  not  before  fo  willing  to  be  rid  of 
their  learned  paftor,  as  now  importunate  to  obtain  him 
again  from  them  who  had  given  him  entertainment,  and 
were  unwilling  to  part  with  him,  if  irrcfiflible  folicitati- 
ons  had  not  been  ufed. 

One  of  the  town  minifters,  who  faw  in  what  manner 
the  people  were  inclined  for  the  recalling  of  Calvin,  gave 
him  notice  of  their  affeclion  in  this  fort.  '  The  fenate 
'  of  two  hundred  being  aiTembled,  they  all  defire  Calvin. 
'  The  next  day  a  general  convocation  ;  they  all  cry,  we 

will 


CALVIN  l8l 

1  will  have  Calvin,  that  good  and  learned  man,  the  mi- 
'  miter  of  ChriuV  Wlien  Calvin  underftood  this,  he 
praifed  GOD,  and  judged  it  was  the  call  of  heaven.  He 
faid,  It  is  marvellous  in  our  eyes  ;  for  the  ft  one  which  the 
builders  refufed,  was  made  the  head  of  the  corner.  In  his 
abfence,  he  had  perfuaded  them,  with  whom  he  was  able 
to  prevail,  that  chough  he  more  approved  of  common 
bread  to  be  uied  in  the  eucharift ;  yet  they  mould  rather 
accept  the  other,  than  cauie  any  trouble  in  the  church 
about  it. 

The  people  faw  that  the  name  of  Calvin  increafed  every- 
day greater  abroad  ;  and  that,  with  his  fame,  their  infa- 
my was  fpread,  who  had  ejected  him  with  fuch  raihnefs 
and  folly, 

;    He  re-entered  Geneva,  (leaving  Brulius  to  fucceed  him 
in   the  French  church  at  Strafburgh)  on  the  thirteenth  of 
beptember,  1541,  to  the  infinite  fatisfaction  of  the  people 
and  magistracy  ;   and  the  firlt  thing  he  did  was  to  eftablifli 
a  form  ot  difciplme,    and  a    confiltorial  jurifdidion,  with 
power  to  exercife   canonical  cenfures    and    punishments 
even  to  excommunication.     This    difpleafed  manv,  who' 
urged,  that  it  was  reftoring  the   Roman  tyranny  :  How 
ever,    the    thing    was    executed  ;    and*  this  new  canon 
palled  into  a  law,  in  a  general  aflembly  of  the  people,  on 
the  twentieth  of  November,  1  C41. 

He  rightly  confidered  how  grofs  a  thing  it  was  for  men 
Ot  his  quality,  wife  and  grave  men,  to  live  with  fuch  a 
multitude,  and  to  be  tenants  at  will  under  them  as  their 
nnnifters,  both  himfelf  and  others,  had  been.  For  the 
remedy  of  this  inconvenience,  he  gave  them  plainly  to 
understand,  that  if  he  became  their  teacher  again,  they 

mu    u  ?  Tte,nt  t0   admit  a   c^nplete  form  of  difciphne 
which  both  they,    and  alfo  their  paftors,  mould  be  £ 
lemnly   fworn  to  obferve  for  ever  after.     Of  which  dif 
upline  the  principal  parts  were  thefe  :  A  ftanding  eccle 
fiafticai  court  to  be  eftabiiihed  ;  perpetual  judges  in  that 


a 


court 


iSa  CALVIN. 

court  to  be  their  minifters,  others  of  the  people  annually 
■chofen,  twice  So  many  in  number  as  they,  to  be  judges 
together  with  them  in  the  fame  court  :  Thefe  two  forts 
to  have  the  care  of  all  men's  manners,  power  of  deter- 
.mining  all  kind  of  ecclefiafcical  caufes,  and  authority  to 
convent,  control,  and  punifh,  as  far  as  with  excommuni- 
cation, whoever  they  mould  think  worthy,  none,  either 
-frnall  or  great,  excepted. 

Both  the  clergy  and  laity  of  Geneva  engaged  them- 
felves  to  a  perpetual  observance  of  the  new  inftitution 
.^ade  by  Calvin,  whofe  inflexible  Severity,  in  maintaining 
the  rights  of  his  confiftory,  railed  him  a  great  many  en- 
emies, and  occafioncd  feme  diforders  in  the  city.  How- 
ever, he  furmounted  all  oppofition,  and  alfo  governed 
the  proteftants  in  France,  who  almoft  all  held  the  do&rine 
of  Calvin,  and  received  minifters  from  Geneva,  who  pre- 
fixed in  their  congregations. 

Of  all  the  undertakings  of  Calvin,  there  was  none  that 
involved  him  in  fo  much  trouble,  or  expofed  him  to  fuch 
mminent  danger,  as  the  plan  he  had  formed,  with  fuch 
resolution  and  fortitude,  of  purging  the  church  by  the  ex- 
cluiion  of  pollinate  and  Scandalous  offenders,  and  inflicting 
fevere  puniihments  on  all  fuch  as  violated  the  laws,  enact- 
ed by  the  church,  or  by  the  Confiilory,  which  was  its 
representative.  The  party  at  Geneva,  which  Calvin  cal- 
led the  feci:  of  Libertines  (becaufe  they  defended  the  li- 
centious cuftoms  of  ancient  times,  the  erection  of  ftews, 
and  fuch  like  matters,  not  only  by  their  difcourfe  and 
their  actions,  but  even  by  force  of  arms),  was  both  nu- 
merous and  powerful.  But  the  courage  and  refolution 
of  this  great  reformer  gained  the  afcendant,  and  triumph- 
ed over  the  oppolition  of  his  enemies. 

Dupin  fays,  <  The  doctrine  of  Calvin  concerning  the 
'  facrament,  is  not  fundamentally  different  from  that  of 
1  the  Zuinglians  ;  though  he  ufes  very  pofitive  words  to' 
1  exprefs.the  prefence  of  the  body  and  blood  of  Jefus 

<  Chrift. 


CALVIN.  1S3 

s  Chrift.  The  expreilions  which  are  in  Calvin's  inftitu- 
tions,  and  his  other  writings,  might  make  us  believe, 
that  he  did  not  deny  the  real  and  iubftantial  prefence  of 
the  body  and  blood  of  Chrift  in  the  euchariib  :  \  et,  in 
other  places,  he  clearly  rejects  not  only  tranfubftantiation, 
but  alio  his  real  pretence  ;  by  averting,  that  the  body  of 
Jefus  Chriit  is  really  and  fubftantially  prefent  only  in 
heaven  ;  and  that  it  is  united  to  us  only  by  faith,  after  a 
fpiritual  manner,  by  the  inconiprehenfible  working  bFthe 
Holy  Spirit,  which  joins  things  together  that  are  fepara- 
ted  by  diftance  of  place-  Thefe  words,  this  is  my  body, 
ought  to  be  underftood  after  a  figurative  manner,  accord- 
ing to  his  notion  ;  and  the  fign  is  jhere  put  for  the  thing 
ligniiied,  as  when  it  is  faid,  '  The  rock  is  Chrift ;  the 
'.  lamb  is  the  paflover ;  and  circumcifion  is  the  covenant.7 
The  body  and  blood  of  Jefus  Chrift  are  united  to-  us  only 
by  virtue  and  efficacy  ;  and  his  flefh,  remaining  in  heaven, 
infufes  life  into  us  from  his  fubftance  :  Laftly,  though  the 
fubftance  of  the  body  and  blood  of  Jefus  Chriit  are  com- 
municated to  us  by  the  facrament  of  the  eucharift,  they 
are  not  really  and  fubftantially  prefent  there :  And* 
though  the  body  and  blood  of  Chriit  are  there  prefented, 
and  offered  to  all  Chriftians,  they  are  not  really  received,, 
except  by  the  truly  faithful,  and  not  by  the  unworthy. 

Calvin  differed  not  fo  much  from  Luther  in  other 
points  of  doctrine.  He  held  the  fame  principles  as  to  im-- 
puted  righteoufnefs,  and  the  certainty  of  our  juftification, 
which  he  extended  to  an  aifurance  of  eternal  falvation. 
He  alfo  added  an  impoffibility  of  falling  finally  from  grace ; 
and  he  afferted  the  falvation  of  the  children  of  believers, 
who  die  before  they  have  been  baptized.  He  likewife 
condemned,  with  more  feverity  than  the  Lutherans,  the 
invocation  of  faints;  the  worlhip  and  ufe  of  images; 
vows;  celibacy  of  prielts ;  fafting  ;  holy-days;  facrifice 
of  the  mafs ;  adoration  of  the  eucharift;  indulgences; 
the  facraments,  except  the  euchariit  and  baptifm  ;  and,  in 

general, 


i84  CALVIN. 

general,  all  the  rites  and  ceremonies  of  the  church,  which 
the  Lutherans  had  not  entirely  abolifhed. 

The  views  and  projects  of  this  great  man  were   grand 
and    extenfive.     For    he    not   only    undertook    to   give 
ftrength  and  vigour  to  the  riling  church,  by  framing  the 
wileit  laws  and  the  moftfalutary  inftitutions  for  the  main- 
tenance of  order  and  the  advancement  of  true  piety,  but 
even  propofed  to  render  Geneva  the  mother,  the  ieminary 
of  all  the  reformed  churches,  as  Wittenberg  was  of  all  the 
Lutheran   communities.     He   laid  a  fcheme  for  fending 
forth  from  this  little  republic,  the  fuccours  and  minifters 
that  were  to  promote  and  propagate  the  proteilant   cauie 
through   the  moft    diftajit  nations,  and  aimed  at  nothing 
lefs  than  rendering  the  government,    difcipline,  and  doc- 
trine of  Geneva  the  model   and  rule   of  imitation  to   the- 
reformed  churches  throughout   the  world..     The  under- 
taking was  certainly  great,  and  worthy  of  the  extenfive 
renins  and  capacity  of  this  eminent  man;  and,  great  and 
arduous  as  it  was,,  it.  was  executed  in  part,  nay,  carried, 
on  to  a  very    confiderable  length,   by   his   indefatigable 
afTuluity  and  in  extinguish  able  zeal.     It  was  with  this  view, 
that,  by  the  fame  of  his  learning,  as  well  as  by  his  epis- 
tolary felicitations  and  encouragements  of  various  kinds,. 
he  engaged  many  perfons  of  rank  and  fortune,  in  France, 
Italy,  and  other  countries,  to  leave  the  places  of  their  na- 
tivity, and  to  fettle    at  Geneva;  while    others  repaired 
thither  merely  out  of  curiofity  to  fee  a  man,  whofe  talents 
and  exploits  had  rendered  him  fo  famous,  and  to  hear  the 
dilconrfes  which  he  delivered  in  public.     Another  circum-. 
itance,  that  contributed  much  to   the  fuccefs  of  his    de- 
fjgns,  was    the  eltablifhment  of  an  academy  at   Geneva  * 
which  the  fenate  of  that  city  founded  at  his  requeft ;  and 
in  which  he  himfelf,  with  his  colleague    Theodore  Beza>; 
and  other  divines  of  eminent  learning  and  abilities,  taught 
thefciences  with  the  greateft  reputation.     In   effect,  the 
luftre  which  thefe  great  men  reflected  upon  this  infant 

ieminary 


CALVIN.  185 

feminary  of  learning,  fpre ad  its  fame  through  the  diftant 
nations  with  fuch  amazing  rapidity,  that  all  who  were 
ambitious  of  a  dillinguilhed  progreis  in  either  facred  or 
profane  erudition,  repaired  to  Geneva,  and  that  England, 
Scotland,  France,  Italy,  and  Germany,  teemed  to  vie  with 
each  other  in  the  numbers  of  their  ftudious  youth,  that 
were  inceflantly  repairing  to  the  new  academy.  By  thefe 
means,  and  by  the  miniirry  of  thefe  his  difciples,  Calvin 
enlarged  coniiderably  the  borders  of  the  reformed  church, 
propagated  his  doctrine,  and  gained  profelytes  and  patrons 
to  his  theological  fyftem,  in  fever  at  countries  of  Europe. 
Calvin,  reduced  the  power  of  the.  magiftrate,  in  reli- 
gious matters,  within  narrow  bounds.  He  declared  the 
church  a  feparate  and  independent  body,  endowed  with 
the  power  of  legiflation  for  kfdf.  He  maintained,  that 
it  was  to  be  governed,  like  the  primitive  church,  only  by 
trefryteries  and  fynods,  that  is,  by  ailemblies  of  elders, 
compoled  both  of  the  clergy  and  laity  ;  and  he  left  to  the 
civil  magistrate  little  elie  than  the  privilege  of  protecting 
and  defending  the  church,  and  providing  for  what  related 
to  its  external  exigencies  and  concerns.  Thus  this  emi- 
nent reformer  introduced  into  the  republic  of  Geneva, 
and  endeavoured  to  introduce  into  all  the  reformed  church- 
es throughout  Europe,  that  form  of  ecclefiaftical  govern- 
ment, which  is  called  Prefbyterian,  from  its  neither  admit- 
ting of  the  inftitution  of  biihops,  norof  any  fubordination 
among  the  clergy  ;  and  which  is  founded  on  this  principle, 
that  all  minifters  of  the  gofpel  are,  by  the  law  of  God, 
declared  to*  be  equal  in  rank  and  authority.-  Inconse- 
quence of  this  principle,  he  ertablilhed  at-  Geneva  3  confif- 
tory,  compofed  of  ruling- elders,  partly  paftrrs,  and  part- 
ly laymen,  and  inverted  this  ecclefiaftical  body  with  a  high 
degree  of  power  and  authority.-  He  alfo  convened  fynods, 
compoled  of  the  ruling  elders  of  different  churches,,  and 
in  theie  conliitories  and  fynods  had  laws  enacted  for  the 
regulation  of  ail  matters  of  a  religious  nature ;  and  among 
Q  2,  othei 


i86  C    A     L     V     I     N. 

other  things,  reftored  to  its  former  vigour  the  ancient 
practice  of  excommunication.  All  thefe  things  were  doue 
with  the  confent  of  the  greateft  part  of  the  fenate  of 
Geneva. 

The  abfolute  decree  of  God,  with  refpect  to  the 
future  and  everlafling  condition  of  the  human  race, 
was  an  effential  tenet  in  the  creed  of  Calvin,  who  inculcate 
ed  with  zeal  the  following  doctrine  :  That  Cod,  in  pre- 
Ucrft mating,  from  all  eternity,  one  part  of  mankind  to  ever - 
irjiinghuppinefs,  and  another  to  endlefs  mifery,  was  led  to 
r<iake  this  diflinclion  by  no  other  motives  than  his  own  good 
pleasure  and  FREE  will. 

Calvin- was  intimidated  at  nothing,  and  fettled  the 
peace  of  Geneva.  It  would  be  difficult  to  believe,  that 
:n  the  midft  of  violent  agitations  at  home,  he  could  mew 
o  much  care,  as  he  did,  of  the  churches  abroad,  in  France, 
England,  Germany,  and  Poland ;  and  write  fo  many 
"looks  and  letters.  But  there  are  inconteftible  proofs  of 
it ;  for  he  lived  in  continual  action,  and  almoil  conftantly 
with  his  pen  in  his  hand,  even  when  ficknefs  confined  him 
to  his  bed ;  arifing  from  his  zeal  for  the  general  good  of 
:i:3  churches.  He  was  a  man  on  whom  God  had  confer- 
red extraordinary  talents,  a  great  deal  of  wit,  an  exqui- 
iite  judgment,  a  faithful  memory,  an  able,  indefatigable, 
?nd  elegant  pen  ;  an  extenfive  knowledge,  and  a  great 
zeal  for  the  truth.  But  he  could  not  efcape  (lander, 
abroad,  nor  opposition  at  home. 

He  was  full  thirty  years  old  when  he  married  Idolette 
de  Bure,  the  widow  of  John  Stordeur,  a  native  of  Liege, 
and  an  AnabaptifE,  whom  he  had  converted. 

As  the  reformers  married  to  prove  their  converfion 
from  the  papifts,  the  latter  reproached  them,  as  if  they 
warred  againft  Rome  for  the  fame  reafons  the  Grecians 
v.  arrecl  againft  Troy.  "  Our  adversaries,  (fays  Calvin) 
£  pretend  we  wage  a  fort  of  Trojan  war  for  a  woman. 
*    To  fay  nothing  of  others  at  pretest ; .  they  muft  allow 

«  myfelf 


CALVIN.  i37 

u  mvfelf  at  lead  to  be  free  from  this  charge  ;  Since  I  am 
"  more  particularly  able,  in  my  own  cafe,  to  refute  this 
"  fcurrilous   reflection.     For   notwithstanding   I  was  at 

*•*  liberty  to  have  married  under  the  tyranny  of  the  pope, 
"  I  voluntarily  led  a  (ingle  life  for  many  years*" 

The  ordinary  labours  of  Calvin  were  thefe.  Every 
other  Sabbath  he  preached  twice.  Monday,  Tuefdny, 
and  Wednefday,  he  read  his  divinity  lectures.  Thurfday 
he  ailifted  in  the  confiftory  for  the  exercife  of  eccletiaiti- 
cal  difcipline.  On  Friday  he  read  a  lecture  in  expofition 
of  fome  difficult  places  in  fcripture  :  Beiides  his  public 
writings,  and  private  negociations.  GOD  fo  bleifed  his 
miniftry  that  he  was  applied  and  refortedto  from  all  parts 
of  the  Chriitian  world;  fome  to  confult  his  advice  in 
matters  of  religion,  and  others  to  hear  him  preach.  This 
filled  the  city  of  Geneva  with  a  great  concourie  of  people  : 
and,  beiides  the  eftabliihed  church,  there  were  alfo  churches 
for  the  En  glim,  Spaniards,  and  Italians. 

We  have  in  the  writings  of  Calvin*  an  account,  and 
alfo  a  refutation,  of  a  molt  pernic'ous  feet  that  fpruHgup 
in  that  church,  and  produced  troubles  of  a  more  deplora- 
ble kind  than  any  that  happened  in  our  community. 
This  odious  feci,  which  aiTumed  the  denominations  of 
Libertines  and  Spiritual  Brethren  and  Sifters,  arofe  in 
Flanders,  was  headed  by  Pockefius,  Ruffus,  and  Oiiintm, 
got  a  certain  footing  in  France  through  the  favour  and 
protection  of  Margaret,  queen  of  Navarre,  and  filter  to 
Francis  I.  and  found  patrons  in  feveral  of  the  reformed 
churches.  Their  doctrine,  as  far  as  it  can  be  known  by 
the  writings  of  Calvin  and  its  other  antagonilts  (for  thefe 
fanatics  publifhed  no  account  of  their  tenets  that  is  come 
to  my  knowledge),  amounted  to  the  following  propor- 
tions :  f*  That  the  Deity  was  the  fole  operating  caufi  in 
"  the  mind  of  man,  and  the  immediate  author  of  all  hu- 
"  man  actions;  that,  consequently,  the  distinctions  of 
B  good  and  evil,  that  had  been  eiirabiiihed  with  refpect  to 

thefe 


i38  C     A     L     V~   I     N. 

"  thefe  actions,  were  falfe  and  groundlefs,  and  that  men 
¥  could  not,  properly  fpeaking,  commit  fin  ;  that  religi- 
u  on  confuted  in  the  union  of  the  fpirit,  or  rational  foul, 
"  with  the  Supreme  Being  ;  that  all  thofe  who  had  at- 
•*  tained  this  happy  union,  by  fublime  contemplation  and 
li  elevation  of  mind,  were  then  allowed  to  indulge,  with- 
"  out  exception  or  reftraint,  their  appetites  and  pafTions ; 
il  that  all  their  actions  andpurfuits  were  then  innocent  ; 
ix  and  that,  after  the  death  of  the  body,  they  were  to  be 
"   united  to  the  Deity." 

We  muft  not  confound,  as  is  frequently  done,  with.; 
thefe  fanatics,  another  kind  of  Libertines,  whom  Calvia 
had  to  combat,  and  who  gave  him  much  trouble  and  per- 
plexity during  the  whole  courfe  of  his  life  and-  ministry, 
I  mean  the  Libertines  of  Geneva.  Thefe  were  rather  a 
cabal  of  rakes  than  a  feet  of  fanatics.  For  they  -made  no- 
pretences  to  any  religious  fyftem,  but  pleaded  only  for 
the  liberty  of  leading  voluptuous  and  immoral  lives. 

The  opposition  that  was  made  to  Calvin  did  not  end: 
here.  He  had  contefts  of  another  kind  to  fnftain  againfV 
thofe  who  could  not  relifli  his  theological  fyftem,  and, 
more  efpecially,  his  doctrine  in  relation  to  eternal  aiuS 
abfohde  Decrees.  He  however  executed  his  plan  of  dis- 
cipline with  the  utmoft  rigour.  He  excluded  obftinate 
offenders  from  the  communion  of  the  church,  and:  even 
procured  their  banimment  from  the  city. 

The  year  1545  was  rendered  infamous  by  that  cruel- 
and  abominable  edict  which  the  parliament  of  Aquitain  if-' 
fued  againfl  the  poor  Wal denies,  whereby  the  moft  un- 
paralleled barbarities  were  exercifed  upon  thofe  unhappy 
people,  without  any  diftinction  of  age  or  fex,  even  to  the 
very  burning  of  their  towns.  The  Waldenfes,  or  Vau- 
dois,  were  a  feet  eftablimed  by  Peter  Vaud,  or  Valdo,  a 
rich  merchant  of  Lyons  in  France,  in  1160,  who  found 
out  Several  errors  in  the  church  ofFtome,  and  began  a 
reformation.  The  clergy  excommunicated  h  m,  and 
perSecuted  feme  of  his  difciples  which  occafioned  them  to 

quit' 


CALVIN.  1&9 

quit;  Lyons,  and  fly  into  the  vallies  of  Piedmont,  which 
have  been  ever  iinfe  inhabited  by  their  dependents,  who 
have  adhered  to  their  doctrine. 

Calvin  was  greatly  aftiifted  for  the  fufferings  of  the 
Waldenies,  to  whom  he  had  wrote  confolatory  letters  a 
ihort  time  before,  and  lent  them  faithful  paftors  for  in- 
ftrucling  them  in  the  gofpel  precepts.  He  wrote  to  the 
reformed  in  France,  to  convince  them  they  acled  in  a  per- 
nicious manner,  who  pretended  it  was  no  tin  to  be  preient 
at  the  popiih  fervices,  if  they  kept  the  true  religion  in 
their  hearts.  He  told  them,  it  was  an  error  condemned 
by  the  ancient  fathers  :  And,  becaufe  ibme  of  them  might 
think  him  too  rigid,  he  adjoined  to  his  own  the  opinions 
of  Melan&hon,  Bucer,  and  Martyr  ;  whereby  the  name 
of  thefe  Nicodemites  became  obnoxious  ;  for  fo  they  were 
called,  who  cloaked  their  errors  with  his  example* 

When  the  emperor  held  the  diet  at  Ratifbon,  in  1541, 
the  necefiity  of  his  affairs  compelled  him  to  grant  the 
proteftants  the  interim  ;.  that  is,  a  fet  form  of  faith, 
which  might  be  agreeable  to  both  parties,  till  a  general 
council  mould  regulate  the  points  wherein  the  proteftants 
had  abandoned  the  fentiments  ef  the  Roman  church.  The 
emperor  wanted  to  invade  .the  Turkiih  dominions  in  A- 
frica :  But  he  loft  half  of  his  army  in  that  fatal  expedition, 
and  returned  to  Germany,  where  he  renewed  his  feverities 
againft  the  proteftants.  Calvin  aflifted  Melan6thon  in 
writing  againft  the  Interim  ;  while  the  emperor  and  the 
king  of  England  were  engaged  in  a  war  againft  Franee, 
which  ended  in  1546,  and  was  foon  followed  by  the 
deaths  of  Henry  VIII.  and  Francis  I. 

The  city  of  Geneva  had  been  infefted  with  the  plague, 
and  very  unhappy  di virions  began  there  in  1546.  Calvin, 
from  the  pulpit,  exclaimed  againft  the  wickednefs  of  the 
people,  who  revived  the  controverfy  about  their  privi- 
leges, and  would  not  fuffer  their  paftors  to  difpofe  of  the 
eccleliaftical   goods  taken  from  the    Pontificians,  as  the/ 

ought 


i  po  C     A     L     V     I    N. 

ought  to  be.  The  young  people  would  not  fuffer  them- 
selves-to  he  deprived  of  their  fports,  teiverns,  and  other 
places  of  debauchery.  The  ministers  infifted  earneilly 
upon  it,  both  in  the  council  and  church,  threatening  the 
contumacious  with  excommunication.  One  of  the  council 
accufed  Calvin,  that  he  had  taught  fall 'e  doctrine  for  the 
fpace  of  feven  years :  But  the  council  committed  him  to 
prifon,  without  the  felicitation  of  Calvin,  and  enjoined 
him  to  perforin  penance  by  carrying  a  torch  in  his  hand 
through  the  city. 

Viret's  fervant  received  a  letter  from  Calvin  :  But, 
inftead  of  carrying  it  to  his  mailer,  as  he  was  directed, 
he  delivered  it  to  the  Syndics,  who  broke  it  open,  and  were 
not  a  little  difpleafed  at  fome  paffages  in  it,  efpecially 
where  he  told  Viret,  "  that  the  people  of  Geneva  would 
"  govern  without  GOD;  and  that  he  had  to  do  with 
V  hypocrites."  Calvin  was  fent  for  to  anfwer  this  before 
them;  when  he  juftified  his  complaint  by  the  inftance  of 
feveral  debauched  perfons,  who  were  Suffered  to  feoff  at 
the  word  of  GOD,  and  feoff  at  their  instructions.  He 
then  left  the  city. 

*  '  Calvin,  (fays  a  late  excellent  writer)  has  been  taxed 

*  with  fierceneis  and  bigotry  :  But  his  meeknefs  and  be- 
\  nevolence  were  as  eminent,  as  the  malice  of  his  tra- 
1  ducers  is  fhamelefs.  I  mall  give  one  fmgle  inftance  of 
'  his  modefty  and  gentlenefs-  While  he  was  a  very  young 
6  man,  difputes  run  high  between  Luther  and  fome  other 
'  reformers,  concerning  the  manner  of  Chrift's  prefence 
c  in  the  holy  facrament.     Luther,  whofe  temper  was  na- 

*  turally  warm  and  rough,  heapedmany  hard  names  on 
\  the  divines  who  differed  from  him  on  the  article  of  con- 

*  fubfeantiation  ;  and,  among  the  reft,  Calvin  came  in 
i  for  his  dividend  of  abufe..  Being  informed  oftheharfli 
'  appellations  he  received,  he  meekly  replied,  in  a  letter 
1  toBullinger;  "  'Tis  a  frequent  faying  with  me,  that, 
"  if  Luther  mould  even  call  me  a  devil, T  hold  him  not- 
"  withitanding  in  inch  veneration,  that   I  lhall   always 

«  own 


CALVIN. 


191 


"  own  him  to  be  an  illuftrious  fervant  of  GOD;  who, 
"  though  he  abounds  in  extraordinary  virtues,  is  not  with- 
u  out  coniklerable  imperfections." Turrctin's  opinion 

*  of  him   alio  deferves  attention.      '  John  Calvin,   (lays 

*  he,)  was  a  man,  whole  memory  will  be  bleifed  in  every 
'  fucceeding  age.     He  inftructed  and    enlightened,    not 

*  only  the  church  of  Geneva,  but  alio  the  whole  reformed 
'  world,  by  his  immenfe  labours.  Infomuch,  that  all  the 
1  reformed  churches   are,  in  the  grofs,  frequently  called 

<  by  his  name.'  Thus  wrote  this  candid  Arminian,  and 
therefore  art  unfufpected  evidence  of  all  tindue  parti- 
ality, fo  late  as  the  year  1734. 

When  Calvin  returned  to  Geneva^  thefenate  publiflied 
a  decree,  empowering  the  minifters  to  require  of  every 
family  an  account  of  their  faith  :  And  they  ordered,  that 
no  holy-day  Ihould  be  obferved  but  the  fabbath. 

Calvin,  in  his  writings,  every  where  declares,  when  he 
treats  of  the  caufe  of  fin,  that  the  name  of  GOD  ought 
not  to  be  mentioned :  Becaufe  the  nature  of  GOD  is 
perfectly  righteous  and  juft.  c  How  rank  a  calumny  is 
f  it,  then,  to  charge  a  man  who  hath  fo  well  deierved  of 
i  the  church  of  GOD,  with  making  GOD  the  author 
'  of  (in:  He  teaches,  on  all  occasions,  that  nothing  can 
'  be  without  the  will  of  GOD.  He  fays,  the  wicked 
'  actions  of  men  are  fo  ruled  by  the  fecret  judgment 
f  of  GOD,  as  that  he  is  no  ways  accefiary  to  them. 
I  The  fum  of  what  he  teaches  is,  that  GOD,  in  a  won- 
f  derful  manner,  and  by  ways  unknown  to  us,  directs 
c  all  things  to  whatever  end  he  pleafes.  But  why  GOD 
1  wills  what  feems  to  us  not  fuitabie  to  his  nature,  he 
'  acknowledges  to  be  incomprehensible :  And  therefore 
1  denies   that    it    ihould    be    over   curioufly    and    boldly 

<  learched  into  ;  becaufe  the  judgments  of  GOD  are 
1  a  vait  abyfs,  and  myfterious  beyond  our  reach,  which 
j  ought  to  be  adored  with  awful  reverence.     But  (till  he 

*  keeps 


02 


CALVIN. 


'  keeps  to  this  principle;  that,  though  the  reafon  of  his 
'  counfel  be  unknown  to  us,  the  praiie  of  righteoufnefs 
'*  is  ever  to  be  given  to  GOD  ;  becaufe  his  will  is  the  iu- 
'  preme  rule  of  equity.'  Let  Calvin  himfelf  be 
heard  againft  the  abufe,  which  men  will  attempt  in 
defaming  the  great  doctrine  of  predefti nation.  u  In 
'?  all  our  inquiries,  (lays  he  in  his.  Inftitute,)  into  pre- 
«■'  deflination,  let  us  never  fail  to  begin  with  effectual 
il  calling.  Again;  There  are  fome  who  go  on,  fe- 
tC  curely  in  fin,  alledging,  that  if  they  are  of  the  num. 
f*  ber  of  the  elect,  their  vices  will  not  hinder  them  from 
11  going  to  heaven.  Such  abominable  language  as  this 
*(  is  not  the  holy  bleating  of  ChrifVs  fheep,  but,  the  im- 
il  pure  grunting  of  fwine.  For  we  learn  from  St.  Paul, 
il  that  we  are  elected  to  this  very  end,  even  to  holinefs 
"  and  blamelefihefs  of  life.  Now,  if  fanctity  of  life  is 
cl  the  very  end,  fcope,  and  drift  of  election  itfelf ;  it  will 
*.'  follow,  that  the  doctrine  of  election  Ihould  awaken  and 
f"  fpur  us  on  to  fanctification,  inftead  of  furnifhing  us 
"  with  a  falfe  plea  for  idlenefs." 

Philibert  Bertelier,  regifter  of  the  inferior  court  of  jul- 
tice  at  Geneva,  had  been  fufpended  from  the  facrament 
by  the  prefbytery,  on  account  of  his  vicious  life :  But  he 
applied  to  the  fen  ate  to  be  abfolved  ;  and  that  body  ac- 
tually abfolved  him  from  the  fentence.  This  was  oppofed, 
in  the  name  of  the  preibytery,  by  Calvin,  who  ihewed, 
that  the  Chriftian  magiftrate  ought  to  preferve,  not  to 
deftroy,  the  ecclefiaftical  conflitution.  The  facram.ent 
was  to  be  adminitfered  within  two  days.  When  Calvin 
came  to  hear  of  what  had  palTed,  he  ibon  refolved  what 
to  do,  and  preached  againft  the  contempt  of  the  facra- 
ment. Ke  raifed  his  voice,  lifted  up  his  hands,  and  faid 
that  he  would  imitate  St.  Chryfoftom  :  that  he  would 
not  oppofe  force  to  force,  but  that  he  would  rather  fuf- 
fer  himfelf  to  be  maflacred,  than  that  his  hands  mould  pre- 
fent  the  holy  myfteries   to  thofe  who    had   been  judged 

unworthy 


CALVIN.  193 

unworthy  of  them.  This  was  a  thunderbolt,  which  con- 
founded the  faction  of  Bertelier ;  ib  that  it  was  not 
thought  fit  that  he  fliould  prefent  himfelf  to  the  commu- 
nion. The  next  day  after  the  facrament,  Calvin,  accom- 
panied by  his  coniiitory,  deiired  leave  of  the  fenate,  and 
of  the  council  of  two  hundred,  to  fpeak  to  the  people 
about  this  matter,  as  it  concerned  the  abrogation  of  a  law 
made  by  the  people.  This  made  fo  great  an  impreihon  on 
their  minds,  that  it  wasreiblved  the  Swifs  Cantons  ihould 
be  confulted  about  it  ;  and  that  the  decree  of  the  two 
hundred  Ihould  be  iufpended ;  but  that  none  mould  fay  the 
ancient  regulations  had  been  infringed. 

Calvin  difpatched  letters  to  fome  principal  pallors  in 
the  Helvetic  cities  ;  craving  earnestly  at  their  hands  to  re- 
fpect  this  affair,  as  a  thing  whereon  the  whole  ilate  of 
religion  and  piety  in  that  church  lb  much  depended,  that 
the  caufe  of  GOD,  and  all  good  men,  were  inevitably 
certain  to  be  trampled  under  foot,  unlefs  thofe  cities,  by 
their  good  means,  might  be  brought  to  give  fentence 
with  the  minifters  of  Geneva,  when  the  caufe  ihould  be 
brought  before  them.  The  Swifs  pallors  anfwered,  that 
they  had  heard  of  thofe  confiftorial  laws,  and  acknow- 
ledged them  to  be  godly  ordinances,  drawing  towards  the 
prefcript  of  the  word  of  God  ;  for  which  caufe,  they  did 
not  think  it  good  for  the  church  of  Geneva,  by  innova- 
tion, to  change  the  fame,  but  rather  to  keep  them  as 
they  were. 

The  attempts  of  Michael  Servede  or  Servetus,  a 
Spaniih  phyfician,  were  much  alarming  to  thole  who  had 
the  caufe  of  true  religion  at  heart.  This  man,  who  has 
made  fuch  anoife  in  the  world,  was  born  at  Villa  Nue- 
va,  in  the  kingdom  of  Arragon,  diitinguiihed  himfelf  by 
the  fuperiority  of  his  genius  and  had  made  a  confiderable 
progrefs  in  various  branches  of  fcience.  In  the  years 
1531  and  1532,  he  publiihed,  in  Latin,  his  Seven  books 
concerning  the  errors  thai  are  contained  in  the  doclrine  of 
K  the 


i94  CALVIN. 

the  Trinity,  and  his  two  Dialogues  on  the  fame  fubjeft, 
in  which  he  attacked,  in  the  molt  audacious  manner,  the 
fentiments  adopted  by  far  the  greateft  part  of  the  Chrii- 
tian  church,  in  relation  to  the  Divine  Nature,  and  a 
Trinity  of  perfons  in  the  Godhead*  Some  years  after  this 
he  travelled  into  France,  and,  after  a  variety  of  adven- 
tures, fettled  at  Vienne  in  Dauphine,  where  he  applied 
himfelf,  with  fuccefs,  to  the  practice  of  phyfic  It  was 
here,  that,  letting  loofe  the  reins  of  his  warm  and  irregu- 
lar imagination,  he  invented  that  ftrange  fyftem  of  theolo- 
gy, which  was  printed,  in  a  clandefline  manner,  in  the 
vear  1553.,  under  the  title  of  Chriftianity  refiored-  The 
man  feemed  to  be  feized  with  a  pailion  for  reforming  (in 
his  way),  and  many  things  concurred  to  favour  hisdefigns, 
Juch  as  the  fire  of  his  genius,  the  extent  of  his  learning, 
the  power  of  his  eloquence,  the  itrength  of  his  relblution, 
the  obftinacy  of  his  temper,  and  an  external  appearance, 
•at  leaft,  of  piety,  that  rend&red  all  the  reft  doubly  engag- 
ing. Add  to  all  this,  the  protection  and  friendihip  of 
many  perfons  of  weight,  in  France,  Germany,  and  Italy, 
which  Servetiis  had  obtained  by  his  talents  and  abilities 
both  natural  and  acquired  ;  and  it  will  appear  that  few 
innovators  have  let  out  with  a  better  proipeft  of  fuccefs. 
But,  notwithstanding  thefe  fignal  advantages,  all  his  views 
were  totally  *difappointed  by  the  vigilance  and  feverity  of 
Calvin,  who,  when  Servetiis  had  efcaped  from  his  prifon 
at  Vienne,  and  was  palling  through  Switzerland,  in  order 
to  leek  refuge  in  Italy,  caufed  him  to  be  apprehended  at 
Geneva,  in  the  year  1553,  and  had  an  accufation  of  blaf- 
phemy  brought  againft  him  before  the  council.  The 
iflue  of  this  accufation  was  fatal  to  Servetus,  who,  adher- 
ing refolutely  to  the  opinions  he  had  embraced,  was,  by  a 
public  fentence  of  the  court,  declared  an  obftin ate  heretic, 
and,  in  confequence  thereof,  condemned  to  the  flames. 
For  jt  is  obfervable,  that,  at  this  time,  the  ancient  laws 
that  had  been  enafted  againft  heretics  by  the  emperor 

Frederic 


CALVIN.  i95 

Frederic  IT.  and  had  been  fo  frequently  renewed  after 
his  jeign,  were  itill  in  vigour  at  Geneva.  It  mult,  how- 
ever, be  acknowledged,  that  this  learned  and  ingenious 
fufferer  was  worthy  of  a  better  fate ;  though  it  is  cer- 
tain, on  the  other  hand,  that  his  faults  were  neither  few 
nor  trivial;  fmce  it  i6  well  known,  that  his  exceifive  ar- 
rogance was  accompanied  with  a  malignant  and  contenti- 
ous fpirit,  an  invincible  obitinacy  of  temper,  and  a  con- 
siderable portion  of  fanaticifm. 

The  author  of  the  memoirs  of  literature  fays,  '  If  the 
'  religion  of  protedants  depended  on  the  doctrine  and 
1  conducl  of  the  reformers,  he  mould  take  care  how  he 

*  publilhed  his  account  of  Servetus  :  But  as  the  protectant 
'  religion  is  entirely  founded  on  holy  fcripture ;  fo  the 
'  defaults  of  the  reformers  ought  not  to  have  any  ill  in- 
4  fluence  on  the  reformation.  The  doctrine  of  non- 
4  toleration,  which  obtained  in  the  fixteenth  century, 
'  among  fome  proteftants,  was  that  pernicious  error  which 
'  they  had  imbibed  in  the  church  of  Rome  :  And,   I  be- 

*  lieve,  I  can  fay,  without  doing  any  injury  to  that  church, 

*  that  me  is,  in  a  great  meafure,  aiifwerable  for  the  exe- 
4  cution  of  Servetus.     If  the  Roman  catholics  had  never 

*  put  any  perfon  to  death  for  the  fake  of  religion  ;  I  dare 

*  fay,  that  Servetus  had  never  been  condemned  to  die  in 
'  any  proteftant  city.  Let  us  remember,  that  Calvin,  and 
i  all  the  magistrates  of  Geneva,  in  the  year  1553,  were 
%  born  and  bred  up  in  the  church  of  Rome  :  This  is  the 
1  beft  apology  that  can  be  made  for  them.' 

The  number  of  ftrangers  vifibly  increafed  in  Geneva  ; 
and  the  Engliih  were  allowed  to  found  a  church  of  their 
own  nation  in  the  city,  as  the  Italians  had  done  before 
them  in  1551,  and  the  Spaniards  fome  time  afterwards  : 
But  whenQ.  Elizabeth  came  to  the  throne,  and  revived 
the  proteftant  religion,  the  Engliih  thanked  the  magi- 
ftrates  for  their  protection,  and  returned  to  their  own 
country. 

In 


196  C     A     L     V     I     N. 

In  1555,  a  confpiracy  was  formed  againft  the  minifters 
of  Geneva  :  But  it  was  feafonably  difcovered,  and  the  con- 
fpirators  punifhed  ;  fome  being  beheaded,  and  others  ba- 
nifhed.  Calvin  went  to  Bern,  and  defended  himfelf  againft 
Bolfec,  who  was  banifhcd  for  accuiing  him  cf  falie  doctrine. 
Calvin  regulated  the  church  of  Poland  ;  he  comforted  the 
perfecuted  in  England,  and  encouraged  the  afflicted  in 
France.  But,  in  1556,  a  tertian  ague  feized  upon  him  as 
he  was  preaching,  which  obliged  him  to  quit  the  pulpit, 
and  it  was  rumoured  abroad  that  he  was  dead.  He  reco- 
vered, and  went  to  Frankfort  to  pacify  fome  controver- 
fies  which  had  lately  fprung  up  in  the  French  church. 

The  number  of  youth,  who  came  from  all  pans  to  ftudy 
at  Geneva,  jncreafed  fo  much,  that  the  old  fchool  was  not 
large  enough  to  contain  them.  The  rouncii  therefore 
reiblved  to  erect  a  new  college  for  feven  dalles,  and  three 
profefTors  of  Hebrew,  Greek,  and  phiiofophy ;  befides. 
divinity  lectures,  which  Calvin  read  himfelf,  to  whom  was 
joined  Theodore  Beza,  who  preached  the  following  week 
inter  Calvin.  The  fta^utes  of  this  college  were  firftpub- 
iiilicd  m  Su  Peter's  church,  before  the  magiilrates,  r^inif- 
ters,  and  fcholars,  by  Calvin,  who  feemed  to  confecrate 
fo  holy  and  profitable  a  foundation. 

On  the  fixth  of  February,  1564,  Calvin  preached  his 
lair  fermon.  Fie  was  faint,  thin,  and  confumptive.  He 
had  for  ten  years  together  abftained  from  dinners  ;  for  he 
was  frequently  troubled  with  the  head-ach,  which  his 
abftinence  only  could  cun(j|  By  draining  his  voice,  and 
ufmg  of  aloes,  he  brought  on  the  hemorrhoids,  which  at 
laftpro^d  ulcerous;  and  he  had  alio  a  fpitting  of  blood. 
When  his  ague  left  him,  the  gout  took  him  in  his  right 
leg  ;  then  the  choiic,  and  laitly  the  flone,  which  he  ne- 
ver perceived  till  a  few  months  before  his  death. 

Though  he  was  tormented  with  fo  many  violent  difeaf- 
es,  he  never  uttered  a  word  unbecoming  a  Chriftian, 
and  fo  great  a  divine;  only  lifting  up  his  eyes  to  heaven, 

he 


CALVIN.  197 

he  nfed  to  fay,  u  How  long,  Lord!"  which  was  an  e>:- 
preflion  he  conftantly  ufed,  when  he  heard  of  the  calami- 
ties which  afflicted  his  proteftant  brethren,  for  which  he 
felt  more  than  for  any  thing  that  could  befall  himfelf. 
On  the  twenty- feventh  of  March  he  was  carried  in  his 
chair  to  the  fen  ate,  when  heprefented  to  them  a  new  rec- 
tor for  the  fchool ;  then  uncovered  his  head,  and  thank- 
ed them  for  all  their  favours,  and  particularly  for  their 
great  care  of  him  in  his  ficknefs  :  u  For  I  perceive, 
"  (faid  he),  this  is  the  lint  time  I  mall  come  into  this 
"  place."  His  voice  failed  him  as  he  lpoke,  and  the  af- 
fembly  took  leave  of  him  in  tears. 

On  the  fecond  of  April,  which  was  Eafter-day,  he  was 
carried  to  the  church,  where  Beza  adminiftered  to  him  the 
facrametit.  He  made  his  will  on  the  2^rh  and  on  the  27th. 
died,   '  having,  by   over-much  ftudy,  brought  upon   him 

*  feveral  diitempers.'  He  died  in  the  fifty-fourth  year  of 
his  age,  and  was  buried  the  next  morning,  in  the  common 
church-yard  of  the  large  palace,  according  as  he  had  defi- 
red  in  his  will,  without  any  pomp  or  epitaph. 

Burnham,  in  his  Pious  Memorials,  tranflates  from 
Melch.  Adam,  the  following  account  of  his  laft  will  and 
death  ;  he  dictated  his  will  to  the  public  notary  of  Geneva 
in  thefe  words.  "  I,  John  Calvin,  minifter  of  the  word 
"  of  GOD  in  the  church  of  Geneva,  being  fo  opprefled 
*  and  articled  with   divers  difeafes,    that  1  conclude  the 

Lord  GOD  hath  appointed  fhortly  to  \rke  me  out  of 
"  this  world  ;  therefore  have  determined  to  make  my  laft 
"  will  and  teftament  in  this  form  following; 

".  Firft,  I  give  thanks  to  GOD,  that,  taking  pity  on 
"  me,  whom  he  created  and  placed  in  this  world,  he  hath 

*  delivered  me  out  of  the  deep  darknefs  of  idolatry,  into 
which  I  was  plunged  ;  and  hath  brought  me  into   the 

"  light  of  his  gofpel,  and  made  me  a  partaker  of  the  doc. 
'  trine  offalvatfon,  whereof  I  was- moft  unworthy.  And 
'<  he  hath  not  only  gently  and  gracioufly  borne  with  my 

R  2  •  "  faults 


198  CALVIN. 

f?  faults  and  fins,  for  which  I  deferved  to  be  rejected  of 
"  him  and  call  out,  but  hath  treated  me  with  fuch  meek- 
l(  nefs  and  mildnefs,  that  he  hath  vouchfafed  to  ufe  my  . 
u  labours   in  preaching  and  publifhing  the  truth  of  his 
"  gofpel.     And  I  vvitnefs    and   declare,  that  I  intend  to 
u  pafs  the  remainder  of  my  life  in  the  fame  faith  and  re- 
"  ligion   which  he  hath  delivered   to  me  by  his  gofpel  ; 
u  and  not  to  feek  any  other  aid,  or  refuge  for  falvation,. 
'■'  than  his  free  adoption  ;  in  which  alone  falvation  refteth. 
['  And,    with  my    whole    heart,   I    embrace  the  mercy 

*  which  he  hath  ufed  towards  meforjefus  ChriiPsfake  ; 
'  recompenfmg  my  faults  with  the  merit  of  his  death  and 
;'  pafiion,  that  fat isf action  might  be  made,  by  his  death 

*  for  all  my  fins  and  crimes,  and  the  remembrance  of 
c  them  be  blotted  out.  I  witnefs  alfo  and  declare,  that 
'  I  humbly  beg  of  him,  that  being  warned  and  cleanfed 
'  in  the  blood  of  that  hioheft  Redeemer,  ihedfor  the  fins 
i  of  mankind,  I  muft  ftand  at  his  judgment- feat,  under 
'  the  image  of  my  Redeemer. 

"  Alfo  I  declare,  that  I  have  diligently  endeavoured^ 
1  according  to  the  meafure  of  grace  received,  and  the 
(  bounty  which  GOD  hath  ufed  towards  me,  that  I 
1  might  preach  his  word  holily  and  purely,  as  well  in, 
'  fermons,  as  in  commentaries,  and  other  writings  \  and. 
'  interpret  his  holy  fcripture  faithfully. 

c<  But,  alas  !  that  ftudy  and  zeal  of  mine  (if  worthy 
:  fo  to  be  c?Hed)  have  been  fo  remifs  and  languilhing, 
i  that,  I  contefs,  innumerable  things  have  been  wanting 
1  in  me  to  the  well  performing  of  my  duty.  And,  nn- 
'  lefs  the  unmeafurable  bounty  of  GOD  had  been  pre- 
:  fent,  my  fludies  had  been-  vain  and  vanishing.  For 
'  which  caufes,  I  witnefs  and  declare,  that  I  hope  for 
:  no  other  help  for  falvation  than  this  only  ;  that  feeing 
'  GOD  is.  the  Father  of  mercy,  I  truft  he  hath  mewed 
:  himfelf  a  father  to  me,  who  acknowledge  myfelf  a 
:  iftiferable  {inner. 

"  As 


a 


(. 


C     A     L     V     1     N.  109 

"  As  for  other  things,  after  my  departure  out  of  this 
u  life,  I  would  have  my  body  committed  to  the  earth,  in 
"  that  order  and  manner  which  is  ufual  in  this  church 
ft  and  city,  till  the  bleffed  day  of  refurrecftion  com- 
"  eth,  &c." 

To  the  four  fyndics,  and  all  the  magistrates,  who  in 
a  body  honoured  him  with  a  vifit  before  his  death,  he 
fpoke  to  the  following  effect : 

u  Honoured  urs,  I  give  you  great  thanks  that  you  have 
"  done  me  this  honour,  having  not  deferved  it  from  you  ; 
*'  and  that  you  have  fo  often  borne  with  my  infirmities  : 
"  Which,  to  me,  hath  always  been  an  argument  of  your 

fmgular  goodnefsfor  me. 

"  Touching  the   doctrine  you  have  heard  from  me,  I 

take  GOD  to  wknefs,  that  I  have  not  raihly  and  un- 
"  groundedly,  but  carefully  and  purely  taught  the  word 
"  of  GOD  intruded  to  me  :  whofe  wrath  I  mould  other - 
*l  wife  now  perceive  hanging  over  me.  But  I  am  cer- 
*'  tainly  afTured,  that  my  labours  in  teaching  it  have  not 
u  been  difpleafing  to  him. 

"  And  I  teftily  this  the  more  willingly,  both  before 
"  GOD  and  yourfelves ;  becaufe,  I  doubt  not  but  the 
"  devil,  according  to  his  cuHom,  will  raife  up  wicked, 
"  light,  and  giddy-headed  people,  to  corrupt  the  iincere 
"  doctrine  which  you  have  heard  from  me." 

Then,  conlidering  the  immeafureable  benefits  which 
GOD  had  conferred  on  that  city,  he  faid; — *'  I  am  a 
v.  very  good  witnefs,  out  of  how  many  great  dangers  the 
"  hand  of  GOD  hath  delivered  you  :  Moreover,  you  fee 
*'  in  what  eftate  you  now  are.  Therefore,  whether 
u  your  affairs  be  profperous  er  adverfe,  let  this  thing  be 
"  always  before  your  eyes,  that  GOD  is  he  alone  who 
u  eftabli/heth  kingdoms  and  cities;  and  therefore  will 
"  be  worshipped  by  mortal  men." 

And,  continuing  his  difcourfe,  he  mewed  them  at  large, 
the  danger  of  pride  and  fe$  urity  ;  the  great  dangers  they 

were 


2oo  C     A     L     V     I     No 

were  alfo  in  from  errors  in  judgment,  and  corruptions" in 
practice. 

Then  he  prayed  to  GOD  for  the  increafe  of  his  gifts 
and  bleflings  upon  them,  and  for  the  fafety  and  welfare  of 
the  commonwealth.  After  which,  giving  his  hand  to 
each  of  them,  they  took  their  leave  ;  departing  full  of  for- 
row,  and  with  many  tears,  as  from  their  common  father. 

April  23.  The  ministers  of  Geneva  being  with  him,  he 
fpiike  thus  to  them- — "  Brethren,  after  my  deceafe,  {land 
64  fad  in  this  work  of  the  Lord,  and  be  not  difcouraged  ; 
ei  for  the  Lord  will  prefer  ve  this  church  and  common. 
Ci  wealth  againft  the  threateningsof  the  enemies.  When 
"  I  came  firft  to  this  city,  the  gofpel  indeed  was  preached, 
«  but  the  management  of  things,  with  refpecl  to  it,  was' 
**  very  troublefome :  Many  conceiving,  that  Chriftianitv 
e<  was  nothing  more  than  the  demoliihing  of  images.  And 
s(  there  were  not  a  few  wicked  perfonsj  from  whom  I 
41  fuffered  many  things.  But  the  Lord  our  God  fo  con- 
tl  firmed  and  nrengthened  me,  who  am  not  naturally  bold, 
"  that  I  gave  not  place  to  any  of  their  attempts.  I  pro- 
u  fefs,  brethren,  that  I  have  lived  with  you  in  true  love 
ef  and  fmcere  charity ;  and  thus  I  now  depart  from  you. 
il  If  you  have  found  me  any  way  pettifh  under  ray  difeafe, 
11  I  crave  your  pardon  ;  and  give  you  very  great  thanks, 
iX  that  you  have  fo  borne,  on  your  part,  the  burden  im- 
"  pofed  on  me,  in  the  times  of  my  ficknefs.?? 

Having  thus  fpoken,  he  gave  his  hand  to  each  of  them, 
who  then  took  their  leave,  forrowing  and  weeping. 

A  while  after,  Calvin  hearing  that  Viret,  who  was 
eighty  years  of  age,  and  fickly,  was  on  his  journey  to 
viiit  him,  wrote  thus  to  ftay  him. 

"  Farewel,  my  belt  and  fincereft  brother  :  And  feeing 
"  GOD  will  have  you  to  out-live  me  in  this  world,  live 
"  mindful  of  our  friendfhip  ;  for  as  it  has  been  profitable 
"  to  the  church  of  GOD  here,  fo  the  fruit  of  it  tarrieth 
"  for  us  in  heaven.     I  would  not  have  you  weary  your- 

«  ielf 


CALVIN. 


20 1 


ff  felffor  my  fake.  I  hardly  draw  my  breath  :  And  I 
"  expert  daily  when  it  will  wholly  fail  me.  It  is  enough 
"  that  I  live  and  dietoChrift,  who  is  gain  to  his  both  in 
"  life  and  death.      Again,  farewell. "      May  1  I,  1  564. 

"i  et  notwithstanding  this  letter,  the  good  old  man  came 
to  Geneva  ;  and,  having  fully  conferred  with  Calvin,  he 
returned  to  Newcome.  After  which,  Calvin  palfed  his  re- 
maining time  almoit  wholly  in  prayer,  with  his  eyes  to- 
wards heaven  ;  while  his  voice  often  failed  him,  by  reafon 
of  the  fhortnefs  of  his  breath. 

He  died,  as  we  obferved  before,  May  the  27th,  A.  D. 
1564,  aged  fifty-four  years,  ten  months,  and  feventeen 
days.  Beza  had  but juft  left  him,  when  Calvin  fuddenly 
altered  for  death.  On  which  a  meffenger  was  difpatch- 
ed  after  Beza  to  bring  him  back;  but  though  Beza  re- 
turned prefently,  Calvin,  without  afigh  or  groan,  was  fal- 
len aileep  in  Jefus  before  Beza  could  reach  him. 

He  was  a  man,  whofe  thoughts  were  lifted  up  much 
above  the  defire  of  worldly  goods,  only  feeking  how  he 
might  moft  and  belt  promote  his  Matter's  fervice  in  the 
eftablifhment  of  his  gefpel*  When  he  took  leave  of  the 
people  at  Strafburg  (as  we  have  mentioned  above)  to  re- 
turn to  Geneva,  they  would  have  continued  his  freedom  of 
the  city,  and  the  revenues  of  a  prebend;  which  had  been 
anigned  him  :  The  former  he  accepted,  but  abfolutely 
refufed  the  latter. 

When  his  friends  would  have  difluaded  him,  in  hisfick- 
nefs,  from  dictating,  and  efpecially  from  writing,  he  an- 
fwered ;  "What;  would  you  have  me  idle  when  my 
"   Lord  comes  ?" 

'  It  is  a  ftrong  proof  of  his  not  having  fiudied  to  heap 
'  up  riches,  that  all  his  effects,  notwithftanding  his  li- 
'  brary  was  fold  very  dear,  fcarce  amounted  to  three  hun- 
'  dred  crowns ;  fo  that  he  might  very  juftly,  as  well  as 
'  elegantly,  in  order  to  wipe  oil  this  monftrous  calumny, 
•  uie  thcfe  words,  in  the  preface  to  his  Commentary  on 

•  the 


aoa  C     A     L     V    I     N. 

•  the  Pfalrns;  If  I  cannot  In  my  life  time  perfuade  fome 
4  people  that  I  am  no  hoarder  of  money,  1  flail  convince  them 
4  at   my    death.     The  fenate    certainly   can  witnefs  for 

*  him,  that,  though  his  ftipend  was  very  fmall,  he  was  fo 
4  far  from  being  unfatisfled  with  it,  that  he  pofnively  re- 
'  fufed  the  offer  of  increafing  it.?  This  is  one  of  the  moll 
extraordinary  victories,  the  magnanimity  of  grace  ob- 
tains over  nature,  even  in  thofe  who  are  minifters  of  the 
gofpel.  Such  a  difmtereftednefs  is  a  thing  fo  extraordi- 
nary, as  might  make  even  thofe,  who  caft  their  eyes  be- 
yond the  philofophers  of  antient  Greece,  fay  of  him, 
'  I  have  not  found  fo  great  faith,  no  not  in  Ifrael.' 

The  works  of  Calvin,  publifhed  at  Geneva,  compre- 
hended twelve  volumes  in  folio;  which  the  edition  of 
Amfterdam,  1667,  has  reduced  to  nine.  His  commentaries 
upon  the  Bible  are  the  moil  confider able  part  of  his  works : 
But  he  gained  moft  honour  by  his  "  Christian  Inftitution," 
which  was  wrote  in  defence  of  the  proteflant  religion, 
and  has  been  always  efteemed  an  incomparable  work. 
This  "  Inftitution"  has  not  only  appeared  in  French, 
but  alfo  in  High  Buteh,  T.ow  Dutch,  Italian,  Spaniih,. 
and  Engliih.  Calvin  intended  it  as  a  complete  fyftemt 
and  a  full  idea  of  theology. 


(      *o3     ) 


^^:— -.— -— g— — ..^ bb^— ggg^ 


GEORGE    WISHART. 


GEORGE  WISHART,  was  barn  in  Scotland,  and 
brought  up  at  a  grammar-fchool  :  From  whence  he 
went  to  the  univerfity.  After  which  he  travelled  into 
feverai  countries,  and  at  laft  came  to  Cambridge,  where 
he  was  admitted  into  Bennet-Coliege. 

He  was  a  mod  famous  and  fuccefsful  preacher  of  the 
gofpel,  and  in  many  places  of  Scotland,  through  which  he 
preached,  he  was  bleifed  with  many  fealsof  his  miniflry  : 
And  though  he  was  much  perfecuted  by  the  cruel  car- 
dinal Beton,  he  ftiil  continued  to  preach  in  public,  and 
perfeveringly  to  go  about  doing  good- 
He  was  (fays  the  excellent  Mr.  Robert  Fleming)  one  of 
the  moft  extraordinary  ambaffadors  of  Jefus  Chrift,  that 
can  be  inftanced.  He  was  alfo  the  great  friend,  and  (it 
is  believed)  fpiritual  father  of  the  famous  John  Knox, 
to  whom  we  are  chiefly  indebted  for  the  memorials  of 
Wiftiart's  life,  that  have  been  tranfmitted  down  to  us. 

Wiihart  fpent  a  conftderable  time  abroad  for  his  im- 
provement in  literature,  and  diftinguiihed  himfelf  for  his 
great  learning  and  abilities  both  in  philofophy  and  divi- 
nity. His  defire  to  promote  true  knowledge  and  fcience 
among  men,    as    is  ufually   the    cafe,    accompanied  the 

poirelnon 


204 


W     I     S     H     A     R     T. 


poffeflion  of  it  in  himfelf.  He  was  very  ready  to  com- 
municate what  he  knew  to  others,  and  frequently  read 
various  authors  both  in  his  own  chamber  and  in  the 
public  fchools. 

He  appears  to  have  left  Cambridge  in  the  year  1544, 
and  to  have  returned  into  his  own  country  with  the  am- 
bailadors  of  Scotland,  who  came  into  England  to  treat 
with  Henry  the  eighth,  about  the  marriage  of  his  ion 
prince  Edward  with  their  young  queen  Mary.  Wifhart 
fir  ft  preached  at  Montrofe,  and  then  at  Dundee,  to  the 
admiration  of  all  that  heard  him.  In.  this  laft  place,  he 
made  a  public  expofition  of  the  epiftle  to  the  Romans, 
which  he  went  through  with  fuch  grace  and  freedom  in 
fpeaking  the  truth,  that  the  papifts  began  to  be  exceffive- 
ly  alarmed.  At  length,  upon  the  mitigation  of  cardinal 
Beton,  one  Robert  Miln,  a  principal  man  at  Dundee,  and 
formerly  a  profeflbr  of  religion,  prohibited  his  preaching  ; 
forbidding  him  to  trouble  their  town  any  more,  for  he 
would  not  fuller  it.  This  was  fpoken  to  him  in  the  pub- 
lic place  :  Whereupon  he  muied  a  fpace,  with  his  eyes 
lifted  up  to  heaven ;  and  afterwards,  looking  forrowful- 
ly  on  the  fpeaker  and  people,  he  faid,  "  God  is  my  wit- 
"  nefs,  that  I  never  minded  your  trouble,  but  your  com. 
<<  fort ;  yea,  your  trouble  is  more  dolorous  to  me  than  it 
"  is  to  yourfelves :  But  I  am  allured,  to  refufe  God's 
"  word,  and  to  chafe  from  you  his  meiTenger,  mall  not 
<(  preferve  you  from  trouble,  but  fhall  bring  you  into  it  • 
"  For  God  fhall  fend  you  minifters  that  mall  neither  fear 
"  burning  nor  banifliment.  I  have  offered  you  the  word 
*:'  offal  vat  ion.  With  the  hazard  of  my  life  I  have  re-' 
"  mained  among  you :  Now  ye  yourfelves  refufe  me; 
"  and  I  muft  leave  my  innocence  to  be  declared  by  my 
"  God.  If  it  be  long  profperous  with  you,  I  am  not  led 
"  by  the  Spirit  of  truth :  But  if  unlooked-for  trouble 
"  come  upon  you,  acknowledge  the  caufe,  and  turn  to 
"  God,  who  is  gracious  and  merciful.  .  But  if  you  turn 

"  not 


W     I     S     H    A    R    T. 


205 


f  not  at  the  firft  warning,  he  will  vifit  you  with  fire  and 
"  fword."    And  then  he  came  down  from  the  pulpit. 

After  this  he  went  into  the  welt  of  Scotland,  where 
he  preached  God's  word,  which  was  gladly  received  by 
many  ;  till  the  archbifhop  of  Glafgow,  at  the  mitigation 
of  the  aforelaid  cardinal,  came  with  his  train  to  the  town 
of  Air  to  relilt  Wilhart,  and  would  needs  have  the  church 
himfclf  to  preach  in.  Some  oppoled  it  ;  but  Wilhart 
laid,  "  Let  him  alone  ;  his  fermon  will  not  do  much  hurt. 
"  Let  us  go  to  the  market-crofs."  And  fo  they  did, 
where  he  made  fo  notable  a  iermon,  that  his  very  ene- 
mies themielves  were  confounded. 

Wiihart  remained  with  the  gentlemen  of  Kyle,  preach- 
ing fometimes  in  one  place,  fometimes  in  another  ;  but 
coining  to  Mauchlin,  he  was  by  force  kept  out  of  the 
church.  Some  would  have  broken  in;  upon  which  he 
faid  to  one  of  them,  "  Brother,  Jefus  Chriilis  as  mighty 
"  in  the  fields  as  in  the  church  ;  and  himfelf  often 
44  preached  in  the  defert,  at  the  iea-fide,  and  other  places. 
u  The  like  word  of  peace  God  fends  by  me:  The  blood 
u  of  none  (hall be  fbed  this  day  for  preaching  it." 

Then  going  into  the  fields,  he  ilood  upon  a  bank, 
where  he  itayed  in  preaching  to  the  people  above  three 
hours ;  and  God  wrought  fo  wonderfully  by  that  fer- 
mon, that  one  of  the  moft  wicked  men  in  all  the  country, 
the  laird  of  Sheld,  was  converted  by  it ;  his  eyes  flowino- 
with  luch  abundance  of  tears  that  all  men  wondered 
at  it. 

Soon  after  news  was  brought  to  Wiihart,  that  the 
plague  was  broke  out  in  Dundee  ;  which  began  within 
four  days  after  he  was  prohibited  to  preach  there,  and 
raged  in  extremely,  that  it  is  almoft  beyond  credit  how 
many  died  in  the  ipace  of  twenty  four  hours.  This 
being  related  to  him,  he  would  need?,  notwithftandino- 
the  importunity  of  his  friends  to  detain  him,  go  thither*; 
faying,  "  They  are  now  in  troubles,  and  need  comfort. 
S  "  Perhaps 


2o6  W    I    S     H     A     R     T. 

ff  Perhaps  this  hand  of  God  will  make  them  now  to 
<f  magnify  and  reverence  the  word  of  God,  which  be- 
"  fore  they  lightly  efteemed." 

There  he  was  with  joy  received  by  the  godly.  He 
ehofe  the  Eaft  gate  for  the  place  of  his  preaching ;  fo  that 
the  healthy  were  within,  and  the  fick  without  the  gate 
His  text  was,  He  fent  his  word  and  healed  them,  &c.  Pfalm 
cvii.  30.  It  this  fermon  he  chiefly  dwelt  upon  the  ad- 
vantage and  comfort  of  God's  word,  the  judgments  that 
enfue  upon  the  contempt  or  rejection  of  it,  the  freedom 
of  God's  grace  to  all  his  people,  and  the  happinefs  of 
thofe  of  his  elect,  whom  he  takes  to  himfelf  out  of  this 
miserable  world.  The  hearts  of  his  hearers  were  fo  raifed 
by  the  divine  force  of  this  difcourfe,  as  not  to  regard 
death,  but  to  judge  them  the  more  happy  who  mould  then 
be  called,  not  knowing  whether  they  might  have  fuch  a 
comforter  again  with  them.  After  this,  the  plague  almofl 
quite  ceafed  ;  though,  in  the  midd  of  it,  Wifhart  con- 
itantly  vilited  thofe  that  lay  in  the  greateft  extremity, 
.and  comforted  them  by  his  exhortations. 

When  he  took  his  leave  of  the  people  of  Dundee,  he 
faid;  "  that  Cod  had  almofl:  put  an -end  to  that  plague, 
"  and  that  be  was  now  called  to 'another  place."  He  went 
from  thence  to  Montrofe,  where  he  fometimes  preached, 
but  fpent  m oft  of  his  time  in  private  meditation  andpray-r 
er,  in  which  he  was  fo  earned  that  night  and  day  he  fre- 
quently continued  in  it. 

It  is  laid,  that  before  Wifhart  left  Dundee,  and  while 
he  was  engaged  in  the  labours  of  love  to  the  bodies  as 
well  as  to  the  fouls  of  thofe  poor  afflicted  people,  the 
cardinal  corrupted  a  defperate  popifh  pried,  called  John 
Weighton,  to  Hay  him.  And  on  a  day  the  ierrnon  being 
ended,  and  the  people  departed,  the  pried  flood  waiting 
ar  the  bottom  of  the  ttairs,  with  a  naked  dagger  in  his 
hand  under  his  gown.  But  Mr.  Wilhart  having  a  iliarp 
j-krehig  eye,  and  feeing  the  pried  as  he  carne  down,  faid 

to 


W    I     S    H    A    R    T.  ioV- 

to  him,  "  My  friend,  what  would  you  have?"  And 
immediately  clapping  his  hand  upon  the  dagger,  took  it 
from  him.  The  prieft  being  terrified,  fell  down  upon 
his  knees,  and  confefled  his  intention,  and  craved  pardon. . 
A  noife  being  hereupon  railed,  and  it  coming  to  the  ears 
of  thofe  who  were  lick,  they  cried,  '  Deliver  the  traitor 
*  to  us,  or  we  will  take  him  by  force  •/  and  they  burft  in 
at  the  gate.  But  Wifhart  taking  the  prieit  in  his  arms, 
faid,  "  Whatfoever  hurts  him  (hall  hurt  me;  for  he  hath 
t*.  done  me  no  mifchief,  but  much  good,  by  teaching  me 
"  more  heedfulnefs  for  the  time  to  come."  And  ib  he 
appealed  them,  and  faved  the  prieit's  life. 

Soon  after  his  return  to  Montrofe,  the  cardinal  agairt 
confpired  his  death,  cauling  a  letter  to  be  fent  to  him  as 
if  it  had  been  from  his  familiar  friend,  the  laird  of  Kin- 
nier,  in  which  he  was  defired  with  all  poifible  fpeed  to 
come  to  him,  becaufe  he  was  taken  with  a  fudden  fick- 
nefs.  In  the  mean  time  the  cardinal  had  provided  fixty 
men  armed,  to  lie  in  wait  within  a  mile  and  a  half 
of  Montrofe,  in  order  to  murder  him  as  he  palled  that 
way. 

The  letter  coming  to  Wifhart's  hand  by  a  boy,  who 
alfo  brought  him  a  horfe  for  the  journey ;  Wilhart,  ac- 
companied by  fome  honeft  men  his  friends,  fet  forward  ; 
but  fuddenly  flopping  by  the  way,  and  mufing  a  fpace, 
he  returned  back,  which  they  wondering  at,  afked  him 
the  caufe,  to  whom  he  faid,  "  I  will  not  go.  I  am.  for- 
u  bidden  of  God.  I  am  allured  there  is  treafon.  Let 
"  fome  of  you  go  to  yonder  place,  and  tell  me  what  you 
"  find."  Which  doing,  they  made  the  difcovery;  and 
haftily  returned,  they  told  Mr.  Wilhart:  Whereupon 
he  faid,  "  I  know  I  (hall  end  my  life  by  that  blood-thirfty 
"  man's  hands,  but  it  will  not  be  in  this  manner." 

The  time  approaching  when  he  fhould  meet  the  gentle- 
men at  Edinburgh,  he  took  his  leave  and  departed.  By 
the  way  he  lodged  with  a  faithful  brother,  called  James 

Watfon, 


ao8  W     I     S     H     A    R     T. 

Watfon,  of  Inner- Goury.  In  the  night-time  he  got  up, 
and  went  into  a  yard ;  which  two  men  hearing,  they 
privately  followed  him.  There  he  walked  in  an  alley 
for  ibme  fpace,  breathing  forth  many  groans  :  Then  he 
fell  upon  his  knees,  and  his  groans  increafed  :  Then  he 
fell  upon  his  face ;  when  thofe  that  watched  him  heard 
him  lamenting  and  praying :  And  thus  he  continued  near 
an  hour:  Then  getting  up  he  went  to  his  bed  again. 
Thofe  who  attending  him,  appearing  as  though  they  were 
ignorant  of  all,  came  and  allied  him  where  he  had  been  ? 
But  he  would  not  anfwer  them.  The  next  day  they  im- 
portuned him  to  tell  them,  faying,  i  Be   plain   with  us, 

*  for  we  heard  your  mourning,  and  faw  your  geftures.' 
Then  he,  with  a  dejected  countenance,  faid,  u  I  had 
"  rather  you  had  been  in  your  beds."  But  they  ftill 
prefling  upon  him  to  know  fomething,  he  faid,  "I  will 
44  tell  you :  I  am  allured  that  my  warfare  is  near  at  an 
"  end,  and  therefore  pray  to  God  with  me,  that  I  Ihrink 
u  not  when  the  battle  waxeth  molt  hot." 

When   they  heard  this   they   fell    a  weeping,  faying, 

*  This  is  fmall  comfort  to  us.'  Then  faid  he,  "  God 
fi  fhall  fend  you  comfort  after  me.  This  realm  lhall  be 
4t  illuminated  with  the  light  of  Chrift's  gofpel,  as  clearly 
"  as  any  realm  iince  theday9  of  the  apoltles.  The  houfe 
"  of  God  lhall  be  built  in  it;  yea,  it  lhall  not  lack,  in 
"  defpite  of  all  enemies,  the  top-ftone;  neither  will  it 
"  be  long  before  this -be  accomplished-  Many  lhall  not 
"  fufFer  after  me,  before  the  glory  of  God  mall  appear 
"  and  triumph  in  defpite  of  Satan-  But  alas,  if  the 
"  people  afterwards  lhall  prove  unthankful,  then  fearful 
"  and  terrible  will  the  plagues  be  that  lhall  follow." 

He  then  went  forward  upon  his  journey  and  came  to 
Leith,  but  hearing  nothing  of  the  gentlemen  who  were 
to  meet  with  him,  he  kept  himfelf  retired  for  a  day  or 
two.  He  then  grew  penlive,  and  being  alked  the  reafon 
of  it,  he  anfwered;  "  What  do  I  differ  from    a  dead 

"  man? 


W     I     S     H    A     R    T.  20(> 

"  man?  Hitherto  CoJ  hath  ufed  my  labours  for  the 
"  inltrucTion  of  others,  and  to  the  difclofmg  of  dark- 
"  nefs  :  And  now  I  lurk  as  a  man  aihamed  to  fliew  his 
"  face."  His  friends  perceived  that  his  defire  was  to 
preach,  whereupon  they  faid  to  him,  '  It's  moft  com  for  t- 

*  able  to  us  to  hear  you,  but  becaufe  we  know  the 
1  danger  wherein  you  Hand,  we  dare  not  defire  it.'  But, 
faid  he,  "  If  you  dare  hear,  let  God  provide  for  me  as 
"  belt  pleafeth  him  ;"  and  lb  it  was  concluded  that  the 
next  day  he  U.ould  preach  in  Leith.  His  text  was  of  the 
parable  of  the  lower,  Matt.  xiii.  The  fermon  ended,  the 
gentlemen  of  Lothian,  who  were  earneft  profeflbrs  of 
Jefus  Chriit,  would  not  fufFer  him  to  flay  at  Leith,  be- 
caufe the  governor  and  cardinal  were  fhortly  to  come  to 
Edinburgh  ;  but  took  him  along  with  them  ;  and  fo  he 
preached  at  Brunftone,  Longniddry,  and  Ormiflone ;  then 
was  he  requefled  to  preach  at  Inverelk  near  Mufelburgh, 
where  he  had  a  great  confluence  of  people,  and  amongfl 
them  Sir  George  Douglas,  who  after  fermon  faid  publicly, 
'  I  know  that  the  governor  and  cardinal  will  hear  that 
'  I  have  been  at  this  fermon  :  But  let  them  know  that 

*  I  will  avow  it,  and  will  maintain  both  the  doctrine, 
1  and  the  preacher,  to  the  uttermoft  of  my  power.'  This 
much  rejoiced  thofe  that  were  prefent. 

Among  others  that  came  to  hear  him  preach,  there 
were  two  gray-friars,  who,  (landing  at  the  church-door, 
whil'pered  to  fuch  as  came  in  :  Which  Wiihartobferving, 
faid  to  the  people,  "  I  pray  you  make  room  for  thefe  . 
*<  two  men,  it  may  be  they  come  to  learn  ;."  and  turning 
to  them,  he  faid,  "  Come  near,  for  I  allure  you,  you 
"  fhall  hear  the  word  of  truth,  which  this  day  mail  leal 
"  up  to  you  either  your  falvation  or  damnation ;"  and 
fo  he  proceeded  in  his  fermon,  fuppofing  that  they  would 
be  quiet;  but  when  he  perceived  that  they  flill  continued 
to  diftuifb  all  the  people  that  flood  near  them,  he  faid  to 
them  the  fecond  time,  with  an  angry  countenance ;  "  O 
S  2  "  miniflers 


2io  W     I     S     H     A     R    T. 

"  minifters  of  Satan,  and  deceivers  of  the  fouls  of  men  ; 
"  will  ye  neither  hear  God's  truth  yourfelves,  nor  fuffer 
u  others  to  hear  it  >  Depart  and  take  this  for  your  por- 
u  tion  ;  God  mall  fhortly  confound  and  difclofe  your 
"  hypocrify  within  this  kingdom  ;  ye  mall  be  abomin- 
<(  able  to  men,  and  your  places  and  habitations  mall  be 
*l  defolate."  This  he  fpake  with  much  vehemency,  and 
turning  to  the  people,  he  faid,  u  Thefe  men  have  pro- 
"  voked  the  Spirit  of  God  to  anger  ;"  and  then  he  pro- 
ceeded to  the  end  of  his  fermon. 

Ke  preached  afterwards  at  Branftone,  Langtiedine,  Or- 
miftone,  and  Inverefk  ;  where  he  was  followed  by  a  great 
confluence  of  people :  And  he  preached  alfo  in  divers 
other  places,  the  people  much  flocking  after  him  ;  and 
he,  in  all  his  fermons,  foretold  the  fhortnefs  of  the  time 
that  he  had  to  travel,  and  the  near  approach  of  his  death. 

Being  come  to  Haddington,  his  auditory  began  much  to- 
decreafe,  which  was  thought  to  happen  through  the  influ- 
ence of  the  earl  of  Bothwel,  who  was  moved  to  oppofe  him 
at  the  mitigation  of  the  cardinal.  Soon  after,  as  he  was 
going  to  church,  he  received  a  letter  from  the  weft-coun- 
try gentlemen  ;  and  having  read  it,  he  called  John  Knox,  j 
who  had  diligently  waited  upon  him  iince  he  came  into 
Lothian;  to  whom  he  faid,  "That  he  was  weary  of  the 
"  world,  becaufe  he  faw  that  men  began  to  be  weary  of 
<c  God :  For,  faid  he,  the  gentlemen  of  the  weft  have 
u  fent  me  word,  that  they  cannot  keep  their  meeting  at 
"  Edinburgh."  John  Knox,  wondering  that  he  mould 
enter  into  conference  about  thefe  things  immediately 
before  his  fermon,  contrary  to  his  cuftom,  faid  to  him  ; 
1  Sir,  fermon- time  approaches;  I  will  leave  you  for  the 
*  prefent  to  your  meditations.' 

Wiimtrt's  fad  countenance  declared  the  grief  of  h:s 
mind.  At  laft  he  went  into  the  pulpit,  and  his  auditory 
being  very  fmall,  he  began  in  this  manner  ;  "  O  Lord, 
"  how  long  fhall  it  be,  that  thy  holy  word  fliall  be  de- 

«  fpifed, 


W     I     S     H     A     R     T.  an 

"  Tplfed,  and  men  (hall  not  regard  their  own  falvation? 
a  I  have  heard  of  thee,  O  Haddington,  that  in  thee  there 
"  ufed  to  be  two  or  three  thonfand  peribns  at  a  vain  and 
u  wicked  play  :  and  now,  to  hear  the  meffenger  of  the 
M  eternal  God,  of  all  the  parifh  can  fcarce  be  numbered 
"  one  hundred  prefent.  Sore  and  fearful  (hall  be  the 
"  plagues  that  mall  enfue  upon  this  thy  contempt.  With 
"  tire  and  fword  malt  thou  be  plagued;  yea,  thou  Had- 
"  dington  in  fpecial,  itrangers  (hall  poifefs  thee  ;  and  your 
u  the  prefent  inhabitants,  mall  either  in  bondage  ferve 
•'  your  enemies,  or  elfe  you  ihall  be  chafed  from  your 
"  own  habitations  j  and  that  beeaufe  you  have  not  known 
u  nor  will  know,  the  time  of  your  vifitation." 

This  prophecy  was  accompliihed  not  long  after,  when 
the  Englifh  took  Haddington,  made  it  a  garrifon,  enforced 
many  of  the  inhabitants  to  fly  ;  oppreiled  others,  and 
after  a  while,  a  great  plague  breaking  forth  in  the  town, 
whereof  multitudes  died,  the  Engliih  were  at  iaft  forced 
to  quit  it,  who  at  their  departure  burnt  and  fpoiled  great- 
part  of  it,  leaving  it  to  be  pollened  by  fuch  as  could  fir  ft: 
ieize  upon  it,  which  were  the  French  that  came  as  auxi- 
liaries to  Scotland,  with  a  few  of  the  ancient  inhabitants  ; 
fo  that  Haddington,  to  this  day,  never  recovered  her  for- 
mer beauty,  nor  yet  men  of  fuch  wifdom  and  ability  as 
did  formerly  inhabit  it. 

That  night  was  Wiihart  apprehended  in  the  houfe  of 
Ormefton,  by  the  earl  of  Bothwel,  fuborned  thereto  by  the 
cardinal.  The  manner  was  thus .:*  After  fermon  he  took 
his  laft  farewel  of  all  his  friends  in  Haddington  ;  John 
Knox  would  fain  have  gone  with  him  ;  but  he  laid,  "  Re- 
"  turn  to  your  children,  and  God  blefs  you  :  One  is 
"  fufficient  for  one  facrifice."  Then  went  he  to  the  laird 
of  Ormefton's  with  fome  others  that  accompained  him. 
After  fupper  he  had  a  comfortable  difcourfe  of  God's 
love  ro  his  children  ;  then  he  appointed  the  5 lit  Pfalm 
to  be  fung,  and  fo  retired  to  his  chamber. 

Before 


ai».  W     I     S    H    A    R     TV 

Before  midnight  the  houfe  was  befet ;  and  the  earl  *o£ 
Bothwel  called  for  the  laird  of  the  houfe,  and  told  him 
that  it  was  in  vain  to  refill:,  for  the  governor  and  cardinal 
were  within  a  mile,  with  a  great  power  ;  but  if  he  would 
deliver  Wifhart  to  him,  he  would  promife  upon  hishonour 
that  he  mould  be  fjfe.  and  that  the  cardinal  mould  not 
hurt  him,  Wifhart  fakl,  i(  Open  the  gates,  the  will  of 
t(  God  be  done;'"  and  Bothwel  coming  in,  Wifhart  faid 
to  him,  "  I  praife  my  God  that  fo  honourable  a  man  as 
"  you,  my  lord,  receive  me  this  night ;  for  I  am  per- 
sc  fuaded  that  for  your  honour's  fake  you  will  differ  no-- 
•*  thing  to  be  done  to  me  but  by  order  of  law:  I  lei's 
"  fear  to  die  openly,,  than  fecretly  to  be  murdered. ?y 
Then  faid  Bothwel],  '  I  will  not  only  preferve  your  body 
'  from  all  violence  that  fhall  be  intended  againft  you- 
'  without  order  of  law  ;  but  I  al'fo  promife  in  the  pre- 
(  fence  of  thefe  gentlemen,  that  neither  cbr  governor  nor 
'  cardinal  ihall  have  their  will  of  you  ;  but  I  will  keep- 
'  you  in  mine  own  houfe,  till  I  either  fet  you  free,  or 
'  reftore  you  to  the  fame  place  where  I  receive  you.r 
Then  laid  the  lairds,  <  My  lord,  if  you  make  good  your 
'  prom  fe,  which  we  prefume  you  will,  we  ourfelves  will 
4  not  only  ferve  you,  but  we  will  procure  all  the  profef- 
c  fors  in  Lothian  to  do  the  fame,  &c.'  Thefe  promifes 
being  made  in  the  prefence  of  Qod,  and  hands  being 
ftricken  by  both  parties,  the  ean  took  Wifhart,  and  fo 
departed. 

Wifh art  was  carried  to  Edinburgh;  but  contrary  to 
promife  was  fhortly  after  delivered  to  the  blood- thirfty 
cardinal  :  Who,  becanfe  it  was  forbidden  by  their  canon- 
law  for  a  prieft  to  lit  as  a  judge  upon  life  and  death  ; 
fent  to  the  governor,  requeuing  him  to  appoint  fome 
lay -judge  to  pafs  fentence  of  death  upon  Wifhart. 

The  governor  would  eafily  have  yielded  to  his  requeft, 
if  David  Hamilton,  a  godly  man,  had  not  told  him,  that 

he 


W     I     S     H     A    R     T.  213 

he  could  expect  no  better  an  end  than  Saul,  if  he  pcrfe- 
cuted  the  truth  which  formerly  he  had  profeifed.  Here- 
upon the  governor  lent  the  cardinal  word,  that  he  would 
have  no  hand  in  ihedding  the  blood  of  that  good 
man.  The  cardinal,  being  angry,  returned  this  anfwer, 
that  he  had  lent  to  him  of  mere  civility,  and  that  he 
would  proceed  without  him;  and  lb  to  the  great  grief  of 
the  godly,  the  cardinal  carried  Wilhart  to  Saint  Andrews, 
and  put  him  into  the  tower  there  ;  and,  without  any  long 
delay,  he  caufed  all  the  bifhops,  and  other  great  clergy- 
men to  be  called  together  to  Saint  Andrews. 

On  February  the  twenty-eighth,  1546,  Wi/lrart  was 
brought  before  them,  to  give  an  account  of  hisfeditious  and 
heretical  doctrine,  as  they  called  it.  The  cardinal  caui'ed 
all  his  retinue  to  come  armed  to  the  place  of  their  fitting, 
which  was  the  abby-church,  whither  when  Wilhart  was 
brought,  there  was  a  poor  man  lying  at  the  door,  that 
alked  his  alms,  to  whom  he  flung  his  purfe.  When  he 
came  before  the  cardinal,  there  was  a  dean  appointed  to 
preach  ;  whofe  fermon  being  ended,  Wilhart  was  put  up 
into  the  pulpit  to  hear  his  charge  :  And  one  Lavvder,  a 
prielt,  flood  over  againft  him,  and  read  a  fcroll  full  of 
bitter  acculations  and  curfes,  lb  that  the  ignorant  people 
thought  that  the  earth  would  have  opened  and  fwallowed 
up  Wilhart  quick :  But  he  ftood  with  great  patience, 
without  moving  or  once  changing  his  countenance.  The 
prielt,  having  ended  his  curies,  fpat  at  Wilhart' s  face, 
faying,  '  What  anfwereft  thou  I  thou  runagate,  traitor, 
'  thief,  &c.'  Then  Wilhart  fell  upon  his  knees,  making 
his  prayer  unto  God  ;  after  which  he  faid,  "  Many  and 
u  horrible  fayings  unto  me  aChriltian  man,  many  words 
u  abominable  to  hear,  have  ye  fpoken  here  this  day; 
u  which  not  only  to  teach,  but  even  to  think,  I  ever 
"  thought  a  great  abomination,  &o"  Then  did  he  give 
them  an  account  of  his  doctrine,  anfwering  every  article, 
as  far  as  they  would  give  him  leave  to  fpeak. 

But 


2i4  W    I     S    H    A     R     T. 

But  they,  without  any  regard  to  his  fober  and  godly 
anfwers,  prefently  condemned  him  to  be  burnt.  After 
which  fentence,  he,  falling  upon  his  knees,  faid ; 

"  O  immortal  God,  how  long  wilt  thou  fuffer  the 
"  rage,  and  great  cruelty  of  the  ungodly  to  exercife 
"  their  fury  upon  thy  fervants,  which  do  further  thy 
"  word  in  this  world  ;  whereas  they  on  the  contrary  feek 
t(  to  deftroy  tfce  truth,  whereby  thou  haft  revealed  thy- 
"  felf  to  the  world,  &c  O  Lord,  we  know  certainly  that 
"  thy  true  fervants  muft  needs  fuffer,  for  thy  name's 
"  fake,  perfecutions,  afflictions,  and  troubles  in  this 
"  prefent  world;  yet  we  defire,  that  thou  wouldeft  pre- 
"  ierve  and  defend  thy  church,  which  thou  haft  chofen 
*'  before  the  foundation  of  the  world,  and  give  thy  peo~ 
f-  pie  grace  to  hear  thy  word,  and  to  be  thy  true  fer- 
*'  vants  in  this  prefent  life." 

Then  were  the  common  people  put  out,  the  bifhops 
not  deiiring  that  they  fhould  hear  the  innocent  man 
fpeak  ;  and  fo  they  fent  him  again  to  the  caftle,  till  the 
fire  mould  be  made  ready.  In  the  caftle  came  two  friars 
to  him,  requiring  him  to  make  his  confeflion  to  them ; 
to  whom  he  faid,  "  I  will  make  no  confeffion  to  you,. 
"  but  fetch  me  that  man  who  preached  even  now,  and  I 
"  will  fpeak  with  him."  Then  was  the  fub-prior  fent 
for,  with  whom  he  conferred  a  pretty  while,  till  the  fub- 
prior  wept,  who,  going  to  the  cardinal,  told  him  that  he 
came  not  to  intercede  for  Wiihart's  life,  but  to  make 
known  his  innoceney  to  all  men  ;  at  which  words  the 
cardinal  was  very  angry,  faying  ;  *  We  knew  long  ago 
'  what  you  were.' 

The  captain  of  the  caftle  with  fome  friends,  coming  to 
Wifiiart,  afked  him  if  he  would  break  his  faft  with  them : 
"  Yea,  faid  he,  very  willingly,  for  I  know  you  be 
u  honeft  men."  In  the  mean  time  he  defired  them  to 
hear  him  a  little  ;  and  fo  he  difcourfed  to  them  about  the 
Lord's  Supper,  his  fufferings  and  death  for  us,  exhort- 
ing 


W     I     S     H    A    R     T. 


215 


ing  them  to  love  one  another,  laying  afide  all  rancor  and 
malice,  as  becomes  the  members  of  Jefus  Chrift,  who 
continually  intercedes  for  us  with  his  Father.  After- 
wards he  gave  thanks,  and  bleiling  the  bread  and  wine, 
he  took  the  bread  and  brake  it,  giving  it  to  every  one, 
faying,  "  eat  this,  remember  that  Chrift  died  for  us,  and 
"  feed  on  it  fpiritually  ;"  lb  taking  the  cup,  he  bad  them 
"  remember  that  Chrift's  blood  was  (lied  for  them,  &c." 
Then  he  gave  thanks  and  prayed  for  them,  audio  retired 
into  his  chamber. 

Prefently  came  two  executioners  to  him  from  the  car- 
dinal ;  one  put  on  him  a  black  linen  coat,  the  other 
brought  him  bags  of  powder,  which  they  tied  about 
feveral  parts  of  his  body  ;  and  fo  they  brought  him  forth 
to  the  place  of  execution ;  over  againft  which  place,  the 
caftle  windows  were  hung  with  rich  hangings,  and  velvet 
cumions  laid  for  the  cardinal  and  prelates,  who  from 
thence  were  to  feed  their  eyes  with  the  torments  of  this 
innocent  man.  The  cardinal r  fearing  left  Wifhart  ihould 
be  relcued  by  his  friends,  caufed  all  the  ordnance  in  the 
caflle  to  be  bent  againft:  the  place  of  his  execution,  and 
commanded  his  gunners  to  ftand  ready  all  the  time  of  his 
burning.  Then  were  his  hands  bound  behind  his  back, 
and  fo  he  was  carried  forth-  In  the  way  ibme  beggars 
met  him,  afking  him  his  alms  for  God's  fake:  To  whom 
he  faid,  "  My  hands  are  bound  wherewith  I  was  wont 
"  to  give  you  alms:  But  the  merciful  Lord,  who  of  his 
li  bounty  and  abundant  grace  feeds  all  men,  vouchfafe 
<e  to  give  you  necelTaries  both  for  your  bodies  and 
"  fouls."  Then  two  friars  met  him,  perfuading  him  to 
pray  to  our  lady  to  mediate  for  him  ;  to  whom  he  meekly 
faid,  "  Ceafe,  tempt  me  not,  I  entreat  you :"  And  fo 
with  a  rope  about  his  neck,  and  a  chain  about  his  mid- 
dle, he  was  led  to  the  fire  ;  then  falling  upon  his  knees, 
he  thrice  repeated;  "  O  thou  Saviour  of  the  world,  have 
,"  mercy  upon  me  ;  Father  of  heaven,   I  commend  my 

"  fpirit 


2i6  W     I     S     H     A    R     T. 

"  fpirit  into  thy  holy   hands."     Then    turning'  to   the 
people,  he  faid ;  "  Chriitian  brethren  and    lifters,    I  be- 
**  fcech  you,  be  not  offended  at  the  word  of  God  for  the 
"  torments  which  you  fee  prepared  for  me  ;  but  I  exhorts 
"  you  that  ye  love  the  word  of  God  for  your  falvation, 
"  and  fuifer  patiently,  and  with  a  comfortable  heart,  for 
"  the   word's  fake,   which  is    your  undoubted  falvation 
*'  and  everlafting   comfort.     I  pray   you   alio  lhew  my 
"  brethren  and  fillers,  who  have  often  heard  me,  that 
<(  they  ceafe    not  to  learn  the  word   of   God,  which  I 
41  taught  them   according  to  the  meafure  of  grace  given 
"  me,  for  no  perfecution  or  trouble  in  this  world  vvhat- 
"  foever  ;  and  fhew  them,  that  the   doctrine  was  no  old 
*<  wives  fables,  but    the    truth  of    God ;    for   if   I  had 
44  taught   men's   doctrine,  I    fnould   have   had  -greater 
6<  thanks  from  men  t  But  for  the  word  of  God's  fake  I 
"  now  fufFer,  not  forrow  fully,  but  with  a  glad  heart  and 
ee  mind.     For  this  caufe  I  was  fent,  that  I  mould  fufFer 
"  this    fire  for  Chrift's  fake  ;  behold  my  face,  you  lhall 
"  not  fee  me  change   my    countenance  :   I  fear  not  the 
cc  fire;  and  if  perfecution  come  to   you   for  the  word's 
44  fake,  I  pray  you  fear  not  than  that  can  kill  the  body,  and 
41  have  no  power  to  hurt  the  foul,  &c."    Then  he  prayed 
for  them,  who   accufed  him  ;  faying,  u  I  befeech  thee, 
"  Father  of  heaven,  forgive  them  that  have,  of  ignorance 
<{  or  of  an  evil  mind,  forged  lies  of  me  :   I  forgive  them 
"  with  all  my  heart ;  I  befeech    Chrift   to  forgive  them, 
<(  that  have  condemned  me  this  day  ignorantly."    Then 
turning  to  the  people  again,  he  faid;  "I  befeech  you, 
"  brethren,  exhort  your  prelates    to  learn  the  word  of 
«  God,  that  they  may  be  alhamed  to  do  evil,   and  learn 
"  to  do  good,  or  elfe  there  lhall  iiiortly  come  upon  them 
"  the  wrath   of   God    which    they   fhall    not    efchew." 
Then  the  executioner  upon  his  knees,  faid,   '  Sir,  I  pray 
i  you  forgive  me,  for  I  am  not  the  caufe  of  your  death  ;' 
Wifhart,  calling  him    to  him,  kilfed  his  cheeks,  faying, 

"  ho 


w      I     S     H     A     R     T.  217 

<c  Lo  here  is  a  token  that  I  forgive  thee :  My  heart,  do 
"  thine  office."  And  lb  he  was  tied  to  the  flake,  and  the 
fire  kindled. 

The  captain  of  the  caftle,  coming  near  him,  bade  him 
be  of  good  courage,  and  to  beg  for  him  the  pardon  of  his 
fin  ;  to  whom  Wiihart  laid, "  This  fire  torments  my  body, 
fl  but  no  whit  abates  my  fpirus :"  Then,  looking  to- 
ne cardinal,  he  laid,  *'•'  He,  who,  in  fuch  iiate 
•'•'  from  that  high  place,  feeds  his  eyes  with  my  tor- 
*~  ments,  within  few  days  mall  be  hanged  out  of  that 
,r  fame  window,  to  be  feen  with  as  much  ignominy,  as 
"  he  now  leans  there  with  pride  :"  And  i'o  his  breath 
being  (topped,  he  was  confumed  by  the  fire,  near  the 
<  aftle  of  St.  Andrews,  in  the  year  1546. 

This  prophecy  was  fulfilled,  when,,  after  the  cardinal 
was  flain,  the  provoft,  railing  the  town,  came  to  the  caftle 

es,  crying,  *  What  have  you  done  with  my  lord  car- 
i.  dinal  ?  Where  is  my  lord  cardinal !'  To  whom  they 
withiq  anfwered,  <  Return  to  your  houies,  for  he  hath 
*  received  his  reward,  and  will  trouble  the  world  no 
1  more  :'  But  they  ftill  cried,  *  We  will  never  depart  till 
'  we  fee  him  ;'  Then  did  the  Leflies  hang  him  out  at 
that  window  to  mew  that  he  was  dead ;  and  io  the  peo- 
ple departed. 

But  we  will  relate  more  particularly,  from  the  Scotch 
Jiiftoriaiij  the  circumilances  of  the  cardinal's  death.  God 
(lays  he)  left  not  the  death  of  this  holy  man  long  un- 
revenged;  for  the  people  generally  exclaimed  againft  the 
cruelty  ufed  upon  him  ;  efpecially  John  Lefley,  brother 
to  the  earl  of  Rothes,  and  Norman  Leiley  his  coufin,  fell 
foul  upon  the  cardinal  for  it :  But  he  thought  himfelf 
ilrong  enough  for  all  Scotland,  faying,  *  Tuih,  a  fig  for 
'  the  fools,  and  a  button  for  the  bragging  of  heretics. 
I  Is  not  the  lord  governor  mine,  witnefs  his  eldeft  fori 
}  for  a  pledge  at  my  table  ?  Have  I  not  the  queen  at  my 
x  devotion  ?  Is  not  France  my  friend  I  Why  mould  I 
T  .  *  fear 


2i8   -  W     I    S    H     A    R     T. 

c  fear  any  danger  ??    Yet  he  had  laid  a  defign  to  cut  off 
fuch  as  he  feared  and  hated,   which  was  difcovered  after 
his  death  by  letters  and  memorials  found  about  him.     He 
kept  himielf  for  his  greater  fecurity  in  his  caftle  ;  and  on 
a  Friday  night  there  came  to  the  town  of  Saint  Andrews, 
Norman  Lefiy,  William  Kircaldy,  John  Leftey,  and  fome 
others  ;  and  on  the  Saturday  morning  they  met  together 
not  far  from  the  caftle,  waiting  till  the  gate  was  opened, 
and  the   draw-bridge  let  down,  for  the  receiving  in  fome 
lime  and  fand,  to    repair  fome   decays  about    the  caitle ; 
which  being  done,  Kircaldy,  with  fix  more,  went  to  the 
porter,  falling  into   difcourfe  with  him,  till  the  LeQies 
came  alfo  with  fome  other  company.     The  porter,  feeing 
them,  would   have  drawn  up  the  bridge,  but   was  pre- 
vented ;  and  whilft  he  endeavoured  to  keep  them  out  at 
the  gate,    his  head  was  broken,  and  the  keys  taken  from 
him.     The  cardinal   was   afleep  in  bed,   for  all    night  he 
had  for  his  bedfellow,   Mrs.  Mary  Ogleby,  who   was  a 
little  before  gone  from  him  out  at  the  pottern  gate  ;  and 
therefore  the  cardinal  was  gone  to  his  reft. 

There  were  about  one  hundred  workmen  in  the  caftle, 
who,  feeing  what  was  done,  cried  out;  but,  without 
hurt,  they  were  turned  out  at  the  wicket  gate.  Then 
William  Kircaldy  went  to  fecure  thepoftern,  left  the  car 
dinal  mould  make  an  etc  ape  that  way.  The  reft,  going 
to  the  gentlemen's  chambers,  who  were  above  fifty,  with- 
out hurting  thern,  turned  them  all  out  at  the  gate.  They 
who  undertook  this  enterprize,  were  but  eighteen  men. 
The  cardinal,  being  awakened  with  the  noife,  aiked  out! 
at  the  window,  '  what  was  the  matter?'  Anfwer  was! 
made,  that  Norman  Leftey  had  taken  his  caftle.  Then 
did  he  attempt  to  have  efcaped  by  the  poftern  ;  but  find- 
ing that  to  be  kept,  he  returned  to  his  chamber;  and,, 
with  the  help  of  his  chamberlain,  fell  to  barricadoing  the 
door  with  chefts,  and  fuch  things.  Then  came  up  John 
Leiiey,  and  commanded  him  to  open  the  door.  The  car- 
dinal 


W     I     S     H    A    R    T.  219 

dinal  afked, '  who  was  there  V  He  anfwered,  John  Lefley. 
The  cardinal  faid,  '  I  will  have  Norman,  for  he  is  my 
\  friend.*  '  Content  yourfelf,  faid  the  other,  with  thofe 
I  that  are  here :'  And  fo  they  fell  to  breaking  open  the 
door.  In  the  mean  time,  the  cardinal  hid  abo>L  of  gold 
under  (bine  coals  in  a  fecret  corner.  Then  he  faid  to 
them  ;  <  Will  ye  fave  my  life?'  John  Lefty  arifwered, 
j  It  may  be,  that  we  will.'  '  Nay,  faid  the  cardinal, 
J  fwear  unto  me  by  God's  wounds  that  you  will  ;  and 
1  then  I   will  open  the  door.'    Then  faid  John,     '  that 

*  which  was  faid,  is  unlaid  ;'  and  lb  he  called  for  fire  to 
burn  down  the  door;  whereupon  the  door  was  opened, 
and  the  cardinal  fat  him  down  in  his  chair,  crying  ;  '  I 
i  am  a  prieft,  I  am  a  prieft  ;  ye  will  not  flay  me !'  Then 
John  Ledey  and  another  ftruck  him  once  or  twice  :  but 
Mr.  James  Melvin,  a  man  that  had  been  very  familiar 
with  Wifhart,  perceiving  them  both  to  be  in  choler,  pluck- 
ed them  back,  faying;  '  This  work  and  judgment  of 
'  God,  although  it  be  fecret,  ought  to  be  done  with 
1  great  gravity.'  And  fo  prefenting  him  the  point  of  his 
1  fword,  he  faid,  '  Repent  thee  of  thy  former  wicked  life, 
1  but  efpecially  of  ihedding  the  blood  of  that  noble  inftru- 
t  ment  of  God,  Mr.  George  Wiihart,  who,  though  he 

*  was  con  fumed  by  the  lire  before  men,  yet  cries   it  for 

*  vengeance  upon  thee  ;  and  we  from  God  are  fent  to 
'  revenge  it ;  for  here,  before  my  God  I  proteft,  that 
\  neither  the  hatred  of  thy  perfon,  the  love  of  thy  rich- 
t  es,  nor  the  fear  of  any  hurt  thou  couldft  have  done 
e  me,  moveth  me  to  ftrike  thee  ;  but  only  becaufe  thou 

*  halt  been,  and  ftiil  remained,  an  obitmate  enemy 
'  againft  Jefus  Chrift,  and  his  holy  gofpel ;'  and  fo  he 
thruit  him  through  the  body,  who  falling  down,  fpake 
never  a  word,  but  <  I  am  a  prieft,  I  am  a  prieft  :  Fie, 
fie,  all  is  gone.' 

The  death  of  this  tyrant  was  grievous  to  the  queen 

mother, 


22o  W     I     S     H     A     R     T. 

mother,  as  alfo  to  the  Romanics,  though  the  Reformed 
were  freed  from  their  fears  in  a  great  meafure  thereby. 

Thefe  peribns,  with  fome  others  that  joined  them,  held 
the  caitle  for  near  two  years.  It  was  at  length  befieged 
by  the  French,  and  furrendered  upon  capitulation  of 
having  the  lives  of  all  that  were  in  it  iecured* 

The  conduct,  however,  of  thefe  Lefleys  is,  by  no 
means,  to  be  juftified;  for  killing  men  without  law,  is 
undoubtedly  murder,  and  a  defiance  of  all  civil  inftitnti- 
ons.  And,  in  a  Chriftian  view,  it  is  flill  more  unjuftifia- 
ble  ;  for  we  are  taught  to  fufifer,  and  not  to  revenge,, 
but  to  commit  ourfelves  to  him,  who  judgeth  righteoufly- 
It  was  alfo  what  Wifhart  himfelf  would  have  condemned;- 
as  evidently  appears  by  his  meek  and  tender  conduct  to 
the  prieft,  who  would  have  (tabbed  him,  as  we  have  above 
related.  Vengeance  is  mine  ;  I  will  repay,  faith  the  Lord. 
The  judgment  was  certainly  juft  upon  the  cardinal ;  but 
God,  in  the  difpenfations  of  his  juftice,  ufually  lets. 
wicked  inftruments  looie,  and  even  Satan  himfelf,  to 
accomplifli  his  awful  deligns.  Chridians  have  a  better 
bufineis  allotted  them. 

Spotfwood  in  his  hiftory,  p.  75.  tells  us,  that  in  gene- 
ral the  priefts  in  Scotland  were  fo  ignorant  that  they* 
imagined  the  New  Tcftament  was  a  compofition  of 
Luther's,  and  that  the  Old  Teltament  alone  was  the 
word  of  God.  The  fame  author,  p.  92.  tells  us  a  ftory 
which  confirms  this  character  of  the  popiih  clergy  in 
Scotland.  It  became  a  great  difpute'in  the  univcriity  of 
St.  Andrews,  whether  the  pater  [Lord's  Prayer]  mould 
be  laid  to  God  or  the  faints.  The  friars,  who  knew 
in  general  that  the  reformers  neglected  the  faints,  were 
determined  to  maintain  their  honour  with  great  obftinacy, 
but  they  knew  not  upon  what  topics  to  found  their 
doctrine.  Some  held  that  the  pater  was  faid  to  God 
firmaliter,  [formally]  and  to  faints  mater  eallier  ;  [ma- 
terially^ 


W     I     S    H     A     R     T. 


221 


tferiaHy]  others,  to  God  principaliter,  [principally]  and 
to  faints  minus  prhicipaliter  [lefs  principally]  ;  others 
would  have  it  ultimate  and  non  ultimate  :  But  the  majori- 
ty teemed  to  hold,  that  the  pater  was  faid  to  God  capien- 
do Jtricle  [in  a  ftricl:  fenfe,]  and  to  the  faints  capiendo  large 
[in  a  larger  fenfe].  A  fimple  fellow  who  ferved  the  fub- 
prior,  thinking  there  was  fome  great  matter  in  hand  that 
made  the  doctors  hold  fo  many  conferences  together,  aflved 
one  day  what  the  matter  was?  the  fub-prior  anfwer- 
iwg,  Tom,  we  cannot  agree  to  whom  the pater-nofter  foould 
be  faid.  lie  fuddenly  replied,  To  whom,  fir,  jhould  it  be 
faid,  but  unto  Cod?  Then,  faid  the  fub-prior,  What  fiall 
ive  do  with  the  faints  P  Ke  anfwered,  Give  them  Aves  and 
r  enoiv  in  the  devil's  name  ;  for  that  may  fuffice  them. 
T-he  anfwer  going  abroad,  many  faid,  that  he  had  given 
a  wifer  decifion  than  the  doctors  had  done  with  all  their 
diflincltins. 


JOHN       KNOX, 

The   SCOTCH   REFORMER. 


SCOTLAND  had  the  honour  of  producing  this  greac 
and  eminent  luminary  ;  who  became  the  principal  in- 
itrument,  in.  GOD's  hand,  of  effecting  the  Reformation 
T  2  in, 


222  K      N      O      X. 

in  that  kingdom,  at  a  time  when  papal  darknefs,  igno- 
rance, and  fuperftition,  had  involved  the  whole  nation 
in  fhades  of  deeper  than  Egyptian  night.  He  was  de- 
scended of  an  ancient  and  honourable  family ;  and  was 
born  in  the  year  1505,  at  Giffard,  near  Hadington,  rathe 
county  of  Raft-Lothian,  in  Scotland.  He  received  the  firft 
part  of  his  education  in  the  grammar-fchool  of  Hading- 
ton,  and  from  thence  was  removed  to  the  univerfity  of  St. 
Andrews,  and  placed  under  the  tuition  of  the  celebrated 
Mr.  John  Mail*.  He  applied  with  uncommon  diligence 
to  the  academical  learning  in  vogue  at  that  time ;  and,. 
by  the  advantage  of  his  tutor's  inltruclions,  foon  became 
remarkable  for  his  .knowledge  in  fcholaftic  theology  ;  in- 
fomuch,  that  he  obtained  prieft's  orders  before  the  time 
ufually  allowed  by  the  canons ;  and,  from  being  an 
auditor  of  his  tutor's  inftru&ions,  he  began  himfelf  to 
teach,  with  great  applanfe,  his  beloved  fcience  to  others- 
But  after  fome  time,  upon  a  careful  perufal  of  the  fathers 
of  the  church,  and  particularly  the  writings  of  St.  Jerom 
and  St.  Auftin,  his  tafte  was  entirely  altered.  He  quit- 
ted the  fubtilizing  method  of  theories  and  the  fchoo!men? 
and  applied  himfelf  to  a  plainer  and  more  fun  pie  divinity* 

At  his  entrance  upon  this  new  courfe  of  ftudy,  he  at- 
tended the  preaching  of  Thomas  Guiiliam,  a  black-friar  7 
whofe  fermops  were  of  extraordinary  fervice  to  him- 
Mr.  George  Wilhart,  coming  from  England,  with  the 
commhTioners  fent  from  K.  Henry  VIII-  our  author 
being  of  an  inquifitive  nature,  learned  from  him,  the 
following  year,  the  principles  of  the  proteftants  ;  with 
which  he  was  fo  pleafed,  that  he  renounced  the  Romifli 
religion,  and  became  a  zealous  proteftants 

He  had  left  St.  Andrews  a  little  before,  being  appoint- 
ed tutor  to  the  fons  of  the  lairds  of  Ormifton  and  Lang- 
nidry,  who  were  both  favourers  of  the  reformation.  Mr- 
Knox's  ordinary  refidence  was  at  Langnidry,  where  he 
not  only  inilru&ed  his  pupils  in  the  feveral  parts  of  lear- 
nings 


KNOX.  i73 

rung,  but  was  particularly  careful  to  infill  into  rhem  the 
principles  of  piety  and  the  proteiufnt  religion.     This  com- 
ing to  the  ear  of  the  bifhop   of  St.  Andrews,  that  prelate 
profecuted  him  with  fuch  feverity,  that  he  was  frequent- 
ly obliged  to  abfeond,  and  fly  from  place  to  place.   Where- 
upon, being  wearied  with  fuch  continual  dangers,  he  re- 
folved  to  retire  to  Germany,  where  the  reformation  was 
gaining  ground  ;  knowing  that  in  England,  though  the 
pope's  authority  wasfuppreifed,  yet  the  greater  part  of  his 
doctrir.e  remained  in    full  vigor-     But  this  defign   being- 
much  difliked  by  the  fathers  of  both  his  pupils,  they,  by 
their  importunity,  prevailed  with  him  to  go  to   St.  An- 
drews about    Eafrer,  1547  ;  and   for  his  own  fifety,.  as 
well  as  that    of  their  children,  to  betake    himfelfto   the 
caiile,  which  was  then  held  by  thefe   who  had  killed  car- 
dinal Beaton^  where  they  might  all  befecure  from  the  ef- 
forts of  the  papiits,  and  he  be   In  a  condition    to  inftrticc 
thefe  young   gentlemen  with  greater  advantage.      Here 
he  began  to  teach  his  pupils  in  his  ufual  manner.     Belkies 
the  grammar  and  the  clafiical  authors,  he  read  acatechiiVn 
to  them,  which  he  obliged  them   to  give   an    account  of 
publicly  in  the  parilh  church   of  St.  Andrews.     Ke  like- 
wife  continued  to-  read  to  them  the  gofpel    of  St.  John, 
proceeding  where    he    left    off    at  his    departure    from 
Langnidry. 

This  lecture  he  read  at  a  certain  hour,  in  the  chapel 
within  the  caflle,  at  which  feveral  of  the  place  were  pre- 
fent.  Among  thefe,  Mr.  Henry  Balnaveis,  and  John 
Rough,  preacher  there,  being  pleafed  with  his  doctrines, 
(for  tlrey  were  zealous  for  the  new  [that  is,  the  reformed] 
religion),  began  earneftly  to  intreat  him  to  take  the 
preacher *s  place  *  but  he  abfolutely  refufed,  alledgino;, 
tc  that  he  would  not  run  where  GOD  had  not  called 
*<  him,"  meaning,  that  he  would  do  nothing  without  a 
lawful  vocation.  Hereupon,  they  deliberating  the  mat- 
ter in  a  confutation  with  Sir  David  LinoTay,  a  perfon  uf 

great 


224  K    N     O     X. 

great  probity  and  learning,  it  was  concluded  to  give  Mr.* 
Knox  a  charge  publicly  by  the  mouth  of  the  preacher. 
Accordingly  Mr.  Rough,  upon  the  day  appointed,  preach- 
ed a  fennon  concerning  the  election  ofminifters,  wherein- 
he  let  forth,  c  what  power  the  congregation,  how  final! 
'  fcever  it  was  pairing  the  number  of  two  or  three,  had 
(  above  [over]  any  man,  in  whom  they  iuppofed  and- 
c  eipied  the  gifts  of  GOD  to  be,  and  how  dangerous  it 
<  was  to  refufe,  and  not  to  hear  the  voice  of  iuch  as  de- 
c  fire  to  be  inflrucled.7  Thefe  and  other  things  being; 
'  declared  in  general,,  the  preacher  then  addrcfled  hirnfelf 
particularly  to  Mr.  Knox  in  thefe  words:  '  Brother,  ye 

*  mall   not   be   offended,   albeit  I   fpeak    unto  you  that 

*  which  I  have  in  charge,  even  from  all  thefe  that  are- 
'  here  preient ;  which  is  this.-  In  the  name  of  GOD, 
'  and  of  his  Son  Jefus  Chrilt,.  and  in  the  name  of  thefe? 
4  that'  presently    call  you  by  my  mouth,   I    charge  you 

*  that  ye  refuie  not  this  holy  vocation ;  but,  as  ye  ten- 

*  der  the  glory  of  GOD,  the-  increafe  of  Chnit's  king- 

*  dom,  the  edification  of  your  brethren,  and  th£  comfort 
'  of  men,  whom  ye  understand  well  enough  to  be  op- 
f  preileciby  the  multitude  of  labours,  that  ye   take  upon 

*  you  the  pubhc  office  and  charge    of  preaching,  even  as. 

*  ye  look  to  avoid  GOD's  heavy  difpleafure,  and  defire 
'  that  he  ihould  multiply  his  graces  with  you.'  Then 
directing  his  fpeech   to  the  audience,   he  faid,  *  Was  not 

*  this  your  charge  to  me,  and  do  ye  not  approve  this  vo- 
'  cation?'  They  anfvvered,  *  It  was,  and  we  approve  it.? 
At  which  Mr.  Knox  abafiied,  burft  forth  into  tears,  and- 
withdrew  into  his  chamber.  His  countenance  and  be- 
haviour from  that  day,  to  the  day  he  was  forced  to  prefent 
hirnfelf  to  the  public  place  of  preaching,  did  fufiiciently 
declare  the  grief  and  trouble  of  his  heart  :  For  no  man 
law  any  fign  of  mirth  in  him,  neither  yet  had  he  pleafure 
to  accompany  any  man  for  many  days  afterwards. 

But 


KNOX.  225 

But  on  the  Sunday  appointed,  attending  the  pttlpit,  ho 
preached  a  fermonfroin  Dan.  vii.  23 — 28.  when  he  proved 
to  the  fatisfaclion  of  his  auditors,  that  the  pope  was  an- 
tichrift,  and  that  the  doctrine  of  the  Roman  church  was 
contrary  to  the  doctrine  of  Chrift.  and  his  apoftlcs.  He 
likewise  gave  the  notes  both  of  the  true  church,  and  of 
the  antichriitian  church,  &c  of  which  he  gives  a  full 
account  in  his  hiftory ;  and  alfo  of  a  public  difputation 
which  he  then  had  with  the  dean  of  St.  Andrews  upon 
popery,  at  the  end  of  which  the  people  unanimously  called 
on  him  to  let  them  hear  the  fame  doctrine  from  the 
preaching  place  ;  which  call  he  accordingly  obeyed.  This 
ferrnon  made  a  great  noife,  and  the  popifb  clergy  being 
much  incenfed  by  it,  the  abbot  of  Pai«ey,  lately  laminat- 
ed to  the  fee  of  St.  Andrews,  and  not  yet  confecrated, 
wrote  a  letter  to  the  fub-prior,  exprefiing  great  furprize, 
that  fuch  heretical  and  fchifmatical  doctrines  were  fuffered 
to  be  taught  without  oppofition..  Upon  this  rebuke,  the 
fub-prior  called  a  convention  of  grey  and  black-friars,  to 
meet  in  St.  Leonard' s-Yard ;  where,  both  our  preachers 
being  convened,  they  were  charged  with  feverai  offences. 
The  articles  of  the  charge  being  read,  the  fub-prior  enter- 
red  into  a  conference  with  Mr.  Knox,  who,  after  that, 
difputed  with  one  of  the  friars  upon  feverai  controverted 
points  between  the  papifts  and  proteflants.  Popery  fen- 
iibly  loft  ground  by  the  difpute  ;  and  the  fupporters  of  it 
found  themielves  obliged  to  take  another  method  to  main- 
tain its  reputation.  An  order  waspafled,  obliging  every 
learned  perfon  in  the  abbey  and  univeriity,  to  preach  in 
the  parifn-church  by  turns  on  Sundays,  and,  in  their 
fermoos,  not  to  touch  upon  any  of  the  controverted  points. 
But  Mr.  Knox  rendered  this  caution  ineffectual,  by 
preaching  en  the  week-days ;  when  he  took  occalion  to 
praije  GOD  that  Jefus  Chrift  was  preached,  and  nothing 
faid  publicly  againft  the  doctrine  he  had  taught  them  : 
Protefting  withal,,  that  if  in  his  abfence  they  fhould  fpeak 

any 


226  K    N     O    X. 

any  thing  which  they  forbore  while  he  was  prefent,  thar 
his  hearers  mould  fufpend  their  judgment  till  it  mould 
pleafe  GOD  they  mould  hear  him  again.  And  he  was 
fo  fucceisfulin  his  work,  that  all  the  people  in  the  cattle, 
and  a  great  number  in  the  town,  openly  profefled  the 
proteftant  doctrine,  and  teftifled  it  by  partaking  of  the 
Lord's  fupper,  in  the  lame  manner  as  it  was  admiuiftered 
in  the  church  of  Scotland,  after  the  proteftant  religion 
was  eftabliihed  by  law,  in  the  year  1560.  And  this,  in 
the  year  1547,  was,  perhaps,  the  firft  time  that  the 
facramentwas  adminifterecl  in  Scotland  in  the  way  of  the 
reformed  churches*  Mr.  Knox  continued  thus  in  the 
diligent  discharge  of  his  miniiterial  work,  till  July  that 
year,  svlicri  ihr  caule  was  fur  rendered  to  the  French, upon 
terms,  that  all  in  the  garriibn  mould  be  carried  fafe  to 
France  ;  and,  in  cafe  they  were  not  fatisfied  with  the  con- 
ditions of  their  liberty  there,  they  mould  be  conveyed  at 
the  expence  of  that  king  wherever  they  pleafed.  Scotland 
excepted.  Mr.  Knox  with  the  reft  was  carried  to  France, 
and,  from  an  attentive  perufal  of  this  part  of  his  life,  in 
his  hiftory  of  the  reformation  in  Scotland,  printed  in  1732, 
it  appears  that  he  remained  a  prifoner  on  board  the  gallies 
till  the  latter  end  of  the  year  1549;  when,  being  let  at 
liberty,  he  paffed  to  England  ;  and  going  to  London,  was 
there  licenled,  and  appointed  preacher,  iirit  at  Berwick 
and  next  at  Newcaiile. 

In  155 1 ,  he  was  appointed  chaplain  to  K.  Edward  Vi- 
and, the  en fuing  year,  he  had  the  grant  of  an  annuity 
of  forty  pounds,  payable  quarterly  out  of  the  augmenta- 
tion office,  till  fome  benefice  in  the  church  mould  be  con- 
ferred or>  him.  And  from  fome  of  Mr- Knox's  original 
letters,  it  appears,  that  he  enjoyed  this  annuity  of  forty 
poinds  till  the  beginning  of  Q.  Mary's  reign.  In-  a  let- 
ter to  Mrs-  Bowes  his  mother-in-law,  dated  1553*  he 
tells  her,  that  he  was  obliged  to  abfcond  by  reafon  of  the 
fury  of  the  papifts,  and  adds>  "  I  will  not  make  you  privy 

"  how 


KNOX. 


127 


*c  how  rich  I  am,  but  off  London  I  departed  with  lefs 
41  money  than  ten  groats  :  But  GOD  hath  iince  provU- 
<(  ed,  and  will,  I  doubt  not,  abundantly  for  this  life. 
i{  Either  the  queen's  majeily,  or  ibme  ereaferer,  will  be 
*'  forty  pounds  richer  by  me,  for  fo  meickle  lack  I.  of 
u  duty  of  my  patent  ;  but  that  little  troubles  me."  The 
fame  year,  viz.  155 1,  he  came  into  ibme  trouble,  on  ac- 
count of  a  bold  fermon  preached  at  Newcaltle  on  Chrifr.- 
mas-day,  againir.  the  obftinacy  of  the  papiits.  And, 
about  the  latter  end  of  the  year,  1552,  he  returned  to 
London  ;  and  being  well  eiteemed  by  his  majefty  and 
fome  of  the  court,  for  his  zealous  preaching  againft  the 
errors  of  the  Roman  church,  he  was  appointed  to  preach 
before  the  king  and  council  at  Weilmiuller,  a  little  before 
his  majefty's  departure  thence.  In  this  fermon  he  had 
feveral  piercing  glances  againft  fome  great  ones,  who 
were  fecretly  well-wiihers  to  the  popifh  religion,  though 
they  outwardly  fubmitted  to  the  then  prefent  eitabliih- 
ment.  But  notwithstanding  it  mud  have  been  about  this 
time,  that  the  council  fent  to  Crammer,  archbiihop  of 
Canterbury,  to  beitow  the  living  of  All  hallows,  Bread- 
ftreet,  in  London,  upon  him,  which  accordingly  was  of- 
fered him ;  but  he  refufed  it,  not  cairing  to  conform  to 
the  Engliih  liturgy  as  it  then  flood.  Knox  was  called 
before  the  council,  who  demanded  of  him  three  queflions, 
7.  -  Why  he  refufed  the  benefice  provided  for  him  in 
'  London  ?'  To  which  he  anfwered,  that  "  his  confci- 
*'  ence  did  witnefs,  that  he  might  profit  more  in  fome 
<(  other  place  than  in  London,  and  therefore  had  no  plea- 
"  fure  to  accept  any  office   there."     2.  •  Whether  he 

*  thought,  that  no  Chriltian  might  ferve  in  the  eccleiiafti- 

*  cal  miniftration,  according  to  the  rites  and  laws  of  the 
'  realm  of  England  ?  *  "  To  which  he  faid,  that  many 
*'  things  at  that  time  were  worthy  of  reformation  in  the 
u  minifters  of  England,  without  the  reformation  whereof, 
"  no  minuter  did  or  could  difcharge  his  confcience  before 

«  GOD; 


228  K    N    O    X. 

"  GOD  ;  for  no  minilrers  in  England  had  authority  to 
"  feparate  the  lepefes  from  the  heal,  "  [that  is,  the)  had 
not  the  full  j  ower  of  excommunication,]  "  which,  he  laid 
"  was  a  chief  point  of  his  office. "  3.  i  hey  aiked'him, 
f  If  kneeling  at  the  Lord's  table  was  not  indiiit  rent  ?'  He 
anfwered,  that  <(  Chrift's  action  was  molt  perfect,  audit 
<(  was  done  without  kneeling  ;  and  it  was  moil  fure  to 
"  follow  his  example,  and  that  kneeling  was  man's  ad- 
{<  dition  and  invention. "  .About  this  queftion  there  was 
great  contention  between  the  lords  of  the- council  and  him- 
After  long  realbning  it  was  faid  to  him,  that  he  was  not. 
called  of  any  ill  meaning,  and  that  they  were  forry  to 
know  him  of  a  contrary  mind  to  the  common  order.  He 
anfwered,  he  *'  was  forry  the  common  was  contrary  to 
te  Chrift's  infiitution*^  He  was  difmiiTed  with  fome  gen- 
tle fpeeches,  and  they  willed  him  to  sdvife  with  himfelf, 
whether  he  would  communicate  according  tG  that  order.' 

It  is  affirmed  by  feveral  writers  of  good  authority,  that 
befides  the  living  of  Allhallows,  Mr.  Knox  had  the  offer 
of  a  bilhopric  made  to  him  in  Edward  Vlth's  reign,  and 
that  he  refufed  it.  Melchior  Adam  fays,  <  At  that  time 
'  in  England  reigned  Edward  VI.  who  obferving  Knox's 
i  piety,  had  a  lingular  kindnefs-for  the  man,  and  he  was 
*  offered  a  bifhopric  by  the  king's  command  ;  but  he  re- 
1  fufed  it  with  indignation,  vehemently  condemning  thofe 
c  titles,  as  favouring  of  the  kingdom  of  antichriit.'  How- 
ever, he  frill  held  his  place  as  itinerary-preacher :  and, 
in  the  difcharge  of  that  office,  going  to  Buckinghamfhire, 
was  much  pleafed  with  his  reception  at  fome  towns,  par- 
ticularly at  Amermam,  in  that  county;  and  he  continued 
to  preach  there,  and  at  other  places,  fome  time  after  Q* 
Mary's  acceffion  to  the  throne.  But  that  year,  viz.  in 
February  1553,  he  left  England,  having  croffed  the  fea 
to  Dieppe  in  France,  he  went  from  thence  to  Geneva ; 
where  he  had  not  been  long,  when  he  was  called  by  the 
congregation  of  the  Englifh  refugees,  then  eilablimed  at 

Frankfort, 


KNOX.  229 

frankfort,  10  be  preacher  to  them.  This  call  he  obeyed 
(though  unwillingly)  at  the  initance  of  Calvin. 

Mr.  Knox  continued  at  Frankfort,  till  fomc  of  the  prin- 
cipal per  foils  of  his  congregation,  (particularly  Dr.  R. 
Cox,  K.  Edward  Vlth's  preceptor)  finding  it  impoflible 
to  perfuade  him  to  uie  the  Englilh  liturgy,  reiblved  to 
cftccz  his  removal  from  the  place.  In. that  view,  they 
accnfed  him  to  the  magistrates  of  treafon,  committed  both 
againit  the  emperor  and  Oueen  Mary.  Upon  which, 
rhe  magitlrat.es  not  having  it.  in  their  power  to 
lave  him,  if  he  mould  be  required  either  by  the  emperor, 
or  in  his  name  by  O.  Mary,  gave  him  private  notice  of 
it ;  which  he  no  fooner  received,  than  he  fet  out  for  Ge- 
neva ;  where  he  arrived  March  26,  1  555,  but  itaid  there 
only  till  Augull  following;  when,  relolving  alter  lb 
long  an  abfence  to  make  a  vifit  to  his  native  country,  he 
went  to  Scotland.  Upon  his  arrival  there,  which  was 
SO  the  end  of  harvefi,  finding  the  profeffors  of  the  reform- 
ed religion  much  increafed  in  number,  and  formed  into 
a  fociety  under  the  infpection  of  the  following  teachers ; 
William  Harlow,  John  Willock,  Paul  MafFy  or  Methuen, 
and  John  Erikineof  Dun,  he  aiTociated  himfelfwith  them, 
and  preached  to  them.  Prefently  after  this,  he  accom- 
panied one  of  them,  the  laird  of  Dun,  to  his  feat  in  the 
north ;  where  he  flayed  a  month,  teaching  and  preaching 
daily  to  conliderable  numbers  who  retorted  thither,  among 
whom  were  the  chief  gentlemen  in  that  country.  From 
thence  returning  to  Lothian,  he  reiided  for  the  mod  part 
in  thehouie  of  Calder  with  Sir  James  Sandilands,  a  man 
of  great  prudence  and  worth,  where  he  met  with  many 
perfons  of  the  hril  rank  y  with  -thefe  noble  perfonages  he 
converted  familiarly,  and  confirmed  them  in  the  truth  of 
the  proteilant  doctrine. 

In  the  winter  of  155-5,  ne  taught ,  for  the  molt  part,  in 

Edinburgh  ;  about  Cnrhtmas  1556,  he  went  to  the  Weft 

of  Scotland  at  the   deiire  of  fome  proteilant  gentlemen, 

JJ  preached 


230  K    N     O     X. 

preached  in  many  places.  In  his  fermons  he  infifted  much 
upon  the  unlawfulnefs  of  being  prefent  at  mafs,  which 
he  maintained  to  be  an  idolatrous  worfhip.  In  fome  of 
thefe  places  he  celebrated  the  Lord's  fupper  after  the 
manner  of  the  reformed  churches.  From  thefe  weftern 
parts  he  returned  to  the  eaft,  and  refided  fome  time  in 
Calder,  where  many  reforted  to  him  both  for  doctrine 
and  the  benefit  of  the  facraments.  From  thence  he  went 
a  fecond  time  to  the  laird  of  Dun's  houfe,  in  the  county 
of  Mearns,  where  he  preached  more  publicly  than  before, 
and  adminiftred  the  facrament  to  many  perfons  of  note  at 
their  defire.  The  popifh  clergy  being  alarmed  at  this 
fuccefs  of  Mr.  Knox,  in  promoting  the  proteftant  caufe, 
fummoned  him  to  appear  before  them  in  the  church  of 
*Blackfriars  in  Edinburgh,  on  the  fifteenth  of  May,  1556. 
Several  gentlemen  of  diftin&ion,  among  whom  the  laird 
.-of  Dun  was  none  of  the  lead  considerable,  refolving  to 
ftand  by  him,  he  determined  to  obey  the  fummons.  But 
the  profecution  was  dropped,  upon  fome  informality  of 
the  fummons,  as  was  pretended,  when  the  biihops  per- 
ceived fuch  a  confiderable  party  appearing  in  his  behalf. 
However,  he  went  to  Edinburgh  on  the  day  to  which 
he  was  cited,  where  he  preached  to  a  greater  audience 
than  ever  he  had  done  before  ;  in  the  bilhip  of  Dunkeld's 
great  houfe  he  taught,  both  before  and  after  noon,  to  a 
-great  number  for  ten  days. 

At  this  time  the  earl  of  Glencairn  prevailed  with  the 
earl  Marifchal,  and  his  trultee  Henry  Drummond,  to 
hear  one  of  Mr.  Knox's  fermons.  They  were  extreme- 
ly well  fatisfied  with  his  difcourfe,  and  propofed  to  him 
to  write  to  the  queen  regent  an  earneft  letter,  to  pur- 
fnade  her,  if  polfible,  to  hear  the  proteftant  doctrine. 
He  complied  with  their  defire,  and  wrote  to  her  in  May, 
jrr6.  The  letter  was  delivered  by  the  earl  of  Glen- 
cairn ;  the  queen  read  it,  and  gave  it  to  James  Beaton, 
archbifoop  ofGlafgow,  with  this  farcafiir :  ■<  Pleafe  you, 

niy 


KNOX.  231 

€  my  lord,  to  read  a  pafquil.'  This  gave  occafion  to 
Mr.  Knox  to  make  Lome  additions  to  his  letter,  which 
he  printed  afterwards  with  the  additions  at  Geneva,  in 
the  year  1558. 

\Vhile  our  reformer  was  thus  occupied  in  Scotland,  he 
received  letters  from  the  Engliih  congregation  at  Geneva, 
earneitly  intreating  him  to  come  thither  :  For  after  his 
expultion  from  Frankfort,  feveral  of  the  congregation  went 
to  Geneva.  Having  feriouOy  conlidered  this  invitation, 
he  determined  to  return  to  that  people,  who  had  fo  great 
a  regard  for  him.  Accordingly,  in  July  1556,  he  left 
Scotland.  He  had  no  iboner  turned  Lis  back,  than  the 
b  ihops  fummoned  him  to  appear  before  them  ;  and,  upon 
his  non-appearance,  they  paifed  a  fentence  of  death  againft 
him  for  herefy,  and  burnt  him  in  effigy  at  the  crols  of 
Edinburgh.  Againft  this  fentence  he  formed,  and  after- 
wards printed  at  Geneva,  in  the  year  15^8,  his  "  Appel- 
lation from  the  cruel  and  mod  unjuit  Sentence  pro- 
nounced againft  him  by  the  falfe  Biihcps  and  Clergy  of 
Scotland  ;.  with  his  fupplication  to  the  Nobility,  Eftates, 
and  Commonalty  of  the  laid  Realm. " 

On  the  tenth  of  March,  1557,  the  chief  promoters  of 
the  reformation  at  that  time  in  Scotland,  judging  their 
affairs  to  be  in  a  pretty  good  pofture,  and  being  fenfible 
of  the  ufefulnefs  of  Mr.  Knox  for  the  purpofe,  lent  him 
an  exprefs,  earneftly  defiring  him  to  return  home.  This 
letter  coming  to  his  hands  in  May,  he  immediately  com- 
municated it  to  his  congregation,  who  were  very  unwil- 
ling to  part  with  him  ;  but  having  confulted  with  Calvin 
and  other  worthy  minifters,  they  gave  it  as  their  opinion 
that  he  could  not  refufe  fuch  a  plain  call,  unlefs  he 
would  declare  himfelf  rebellious  to  GOD  and  unmerciful 
to  his  country.  The  congregation  upon  this  yielded  to 
his  return  to  Scotland,  and  he  wrote  back  by  the  mef- 
lengers  who  brought  the  letter,  that  he  would  return 
to  them  with  all    reafonable  expedition.     Accordingly, 

having 


232  KNOX. 

having  provided  for  his  congregation  at  Geneva,  he  left 
them  in  the  end  of  September,  and  came  to  Dieppe,  in  his 
way  to  Scotland,  on  the  twenty-fourth  of  October.  But 
there  he  unexpectedly  met  with  letters  from  thence,  con- 
trary to  the  former,  informing  him,  that  new  confukations 
were  entered  into,  and  advifing  him  to  ftay  at  Dieppe 
till  the  final  conclufion  of  them.  This  was  further  alfo 
explained  in  another  letter,  directed  to  a  friend  of  Mr. 
Knox,  in  which  he  was  told,  that  many  of  thofe  who  had 
before  joined  in  this  invitation,  were  becoming  incon- 
Itant,  and  began  to  draw  back.  Upon  the  receipt  of 
thefe  advices,  Mr.  Knox  wrote  an  expoftulatory  letter  to 
the  lords  who  invited  him,  concerning  their  rafhnefs  ;  in 
which  he  denounced  judgments  again  It  fuch  as  mould  he 
inconftant  in  the  religion  they  now  profelfed.  Befides 
this,  he  wrote  feveral  other  letters  from  Dieppe,  both  to 
the  nobility  and  profeflbrs  of  the  reformed  religion  of  an 
inferior  degree,  exhorting  them  to  eonftancy  in  their  pro- 
feifion,  and  giving  fome  uleful  cautions  againft  the  errors 
of  fectaries,  which  grew  up  about  this  time  both  in  Ger- 
many and  England. 

Mr.  Knox  exciting  them  in  tMfe  letters  to  a  greater 
degree  of  zeal  for  the  doctrine  they  had  efpoufed,  they 
came  at  laft  to  this  refolution,  that  '  They  would  follow 

*  forth  their  purpcfe,  and  commit  themfelves,  and  what- 

*  foever  GOD  hath  given  them,   into  his  hands,  rather 

*  than  fufifer  idolatry  to  reign,  and  the  fubjects  be  de- 
4  frauded  of  the  only  food  of  their  fouls  ;'  and  that  every- 
one might  be  allured  the  more  of  one  another,  a  common 
bond  or  covenant  was  made  and  entered  into  by  them, 
dated  at  Edinburgh,  December  3,  1557-  Thofe  who 
joined  in  this  bond  were  called  The  Congregation. 

Mr.  Knox  returned  to  Geneva  in  the  beginning  of  the 
year  1558,  and  continued  there  till  April  15^9,  when 
he  determined  to  return  to  his  native  country ;  and 
having  a  flrong  defire  in  his  way  thither    to  vifit  thofe  in 

EnglanU 


KNOX.  233 

England,  to  whom  he  had  formerly  preached  thegofpel, 
he  applied  to  Sir  William  Cecil,  his  old  acquaintance,  to 
procure  leave  for  thatpurpoie.  But  this  petition  was  fo 
far  from  being  granted,  that  the  mefienger,  whom  he 
fent  to  iblicit  his  favour,  very  narrowly  efcaped  impris- 
onment. Upon  this  he  made  the  belt  of.  his  way  to 
Scotland,  where  he  arrived  on  the  fccond  day  of  May, 
I559>  ;m(l  was  very  active  in  promoting  the  reformation 
there,  as  appears  from  the  fecond  book  of  his  hiftory, 
which  contains  a  full  account  of  his  conduct,  till  the  pro- 
teltants  were  obliged  to  apply  to  England.  For  carry- 
ing on  which  trania&ion,  in  July  this  year,  he  was 
pitched  upon  to  meet  Sir  William  Cecil,  incognito  at  Stam- 
ford ;  but  his  journey  being  retarded  by  the  danger  of 
palling  near  the  French,  who  lay  at  Danbar,  he  was 
afterwards  lent  in  company  with  Mr. 'Robert  Hamilton, 
another  protectant  minifter,  to  negociate  thefe  affairs  be- 
tween the  proteilants  in  Scotland  and  p.  Elizabeth. 
When  they  came  to  Berwick,  they  remained  fome  days 
with  Sir  James  Crofts  the  governor,,  who  undertook  to 
manage  their  bufinefs  for  them,  and  advifed  them  to  re- 
turn home  ;  which  they  did-  Secretary  Cecil  lent  alio 
an  anfwer  to  the  proteitant  nobility  and  gentry,  concern- 
ing their  proposals-  to  Q.  Elizabeth ;  wh'^h  was  fo  ge- 
neral, that  they  were  very  near  refolving  to  break  off* 
the  negotiation,  had  not  Mr.  Knox  interpoied  with  fo 
much  earneitnefs,  that  they  allowed  him  once  more  to 
write  to  the  fecretary. 

To  Knox's  letter  there  was  quickly  fent  an  anfwer,  de- 
firing  that  fome  perfons  of  credit  might  be  lent  to  confer 
with  the  Engliih  at  Berwick  ;  and  the  fame  letter  informed 
thern,  that  there  was  a  fum  of  money  ready  to  be  deliv- 
ered for  carrying  on  the  common  caufe,  afiuring  them 
that  if  the  lords  of  the  congregation  were  willing  to  enter 
into  a  league  with  Q.  Elizabeth  upon  honourable  terms, 
they  mould  want  neither  men  nor  money.  Upon  this 
U  2  anfwer. 


234  KNOX, 

anfwer,  Mr.  Henry  Balnaveis,  a  man  well  refpefted  m 
both  kingdoms,  was  fent  to  Berwick,  v/ho  foon  returned 
with  a  funi  of  money,  which  defrayed  the  pubhc  expence 
till  November  ;  when  John  Cockburne  of  GrmiPton  being 
lent  for  the  fecond  fupport  received  it,  but  fell  into  the 
hands  of  Earl  Bothwell,  who  took  the  money  from  him. 
In  the  interim,  Mr-  Knox  was  chofen  minifter  of  Edin- 
burgh in  July ;  but  being  obliged  to  attend  the  lords, 
while  the  agreement  was  in  (dependence,  Mr.  Willock  was 
left  in  Edinburgh  to  officiate  in  his  room.  The  effect  of 
thefe  negociations  was  the  fending  of  an  army  under  the 
command  of  the  duke  of  Norfolk  ;  which  being  joined  by 
almofl  all  the  great  men  in  Scotland,  at  laft  a  peace  was 
procured  and  concluded  between  the  two  kingdoms,  on 
the  eighth  of  July  in  the  year  1500. 

Mr.  Knox,  and  the  reft  who  had  formed  themfelves  into 
congregations,  being  freed  by  this  peace  from  anydifturb- 
ance,  made  feveral  regulations  for  the  farther  propagating, 
and  eftabliming  the  proteftant  religion ;  and  in  order  to 
have  the  reformed  doctrine  preached  through  the  king- 
dom, a  divifion  was  made  of  it  into  twelve  diftri&s  (for 
the  whole  number  of  the  reformed  minifters  at  this  time 
was  only  twelve,)  and  the  diitrict  of  Edinburgh  was  af- 
figned  to  Mr.  Knox.  Thefe  twelve  minifters  alfo  com- 
pofed  a  confelfion  of  faith,  which  was  afterwards  ratified 
by  parliament  ;  they  alfo  compiled  the  firft  books  of  dif- 
cipline  for  that  church. 

The  indignation  of  the  people,  which  had  been  excited 
by  the  vices  of  the  clergy,  was  foon  transferred  to  their 
perfons,  and  fettled  at  laft,  by  a  tranfition  not  unufual, 
upon  the  offices  they  enjoyed  ;  and  thus  the  effects  of  the 
reformation  extended  not  only  to  the  doctrine,  but  alio 
to  the  government  of  the  popifh  church.  But  in  Ger- 
many, England,  and  the  northern  kingdoms,  its  operati- 
ons were  checked  by  the  power  and  policy  of  their  princes, 
and  epifcopal  hierarchy  (which   appears  to   be  the   moft 

conformable 


K   n    a  x, 


235 


conformable  to  the  practice  of  rhe  church,  fmce  chriiliani- 
ty  became  the  ettabliihed  religion  of  the  Roman  empire), 
was  (till  continued,  in  theft  countries,  under  certain 
limitations.  The  ecLleliailical  government  was  copied 
after  the  civil ;  and  the  ciiocefes  and  jurifdiccion  of  patri- 
archs, archbilliops,  and  bilhops,  correfpondeu  with  the 
divifion  and  constitution  of  die  empire.  In  Switzerland 
and  the  Low  Countries,  the  nature  and  fpirit  of  a.  repub- 
lican policy  gave  fuller  fccpe  to  the  reformers ;  and  thus 
all  pre-eminence  of  order  in  the  church  was  deilroyed, 
and  that  form  of  eccleliaftical-  government  eliablifhed, 
which  has  been  tince  called  Preibyterian.  The  church  of 
Geneva,  which  received  the  deciiions  of  Calvin  with  an 
amazing  docility,  rettored  this  Preibyterian,.  or  republi- 
can form  of  eccleliaftical  policy.  Knox  ftudied,  admired, 
and  recommended  it  to  his  countrymen,,  and  he  was  fecon- 
ded  by  many  of  the  Scotch  nobles,  of  whom  force  hated 
the  perfons,  while  others  coveted  the  wealth  of  the 
dignified  clergy.  But,  in  introducing  this  fyftem,  the 
Scottilh  reformer  did  not  deem  it  expedient  to  depart  al- 
together from  the  ancient  form  ;  but  iniiead  of  bilhops, 
propofed  the  eftablifnment  of  ten  fuperintendants,  to  in- 
spect the  life  and  doctrine  of  the  other  clergy,  to  prefide 
in  the  inferior  judicatories  of  the  church,  without  pre. 
tending  to  claim  either  a  feat  in  parliament,  or  the  reven- 
ues and  dignity  of  the  former  bilhops.  This  propofal  was 
drawn  up  and  prefented  to  a  convention  of  eitates,  which 
was  held  in  the  year  1561  ;  and  what  is  contained,  in  re- 
lation to  eccleliaftical  jurifdiclion  and  difcipline,  would 
have  ealily  obtained  the  fanction  of  that  affembly,  had  not 
a  defign  to  recover  the  patrimony  of  the  church,  in  or- 
der to  apply  it  to  the  advancement  of  religion  and  learn- 
ing, been  infmuated  in  it-  After  this,  at  certain  periods, 
the  name  of  bilhops  was  revived,  but  without  the  prero- 
gatives, jurifdiclion,  or  revenues,  that  were  formerly  ap- 
propriated to  that  order.     They  were  made  fubject  to 

the 


the  general  affeniblies  of  the  clergy,  and  their  power  was 
diminifhed  from  day  to  day,  until  their  name,  as  well  as 
their  order,  was  aboliihed,  at  the  revolution  in  [688,  and 
fve'jhyteriamfm  eftablifhed  in  Scotland  by  the  laws  of  the 
its  re. 

In  March  1561,  Mr.  John  Spottifwood  was  admitted 
fuperintend^nt  of  Lothian  by  Mr.  Knox.  And  the  fame 
year,  Auguit  20th,  1561,  queen  Mary  arrived  at  Ufttk 
from  France.  From  her  fir  it  arrival,  her  majeily  let  up 
a  private  rcafs  in  her  own  chapel,  which  afterwards,  by 
her  protedion  and  countenance,  was  much  frequent- 
ed :  This  excited  the  zeal  of  Mr.  Knox,  who  exp relied 
himfelf  with  great  warmth  againft  allowing  it ;  and  an  act 
of  the  privy-council  being  proclaimed  at  the  market-crofs. 
of  Edinburgh,  forbidding  any  difturbance  to  be  given  to 
this  practice  under  pain  of  death,  on  the  twenty- fifth  of 
that  month,  Mr.  Knox  openly  in  his  fermon  the  Sunday 
following  declared,,  that  '<  one  mafs  was  more  frightful 
!?*  to  him,  than  ten  thoufand  armed  enemies, landed  in  any 
"  part  of  the  realm."  This  freedom  offpeech  gave  great 
offence  to  the  court,  and  the  queen  herfelf  had  a  long 
conference  with  him  upon  that  and  other  fubjects. 

In  the  year  1562,  we  find  him  employed  in  reconciling 
the  earls  of  Bothwell  and  Arran,  which  is  an  evidence 
how  much  he  was  regarded  by  the  rnoft  eminent  perfons 
of  the  kingdom,  and  how  much  interest  he  had  with  them. 
The  fame  year,  the  queen  being  informed  that  her  uncles 
were  like  to  recover  their  former  intereits  at  the  court  of 
France,  received  the  news  with  great  joy  :  Mr.  Knox 
hearing  of  her  behaviour,  and  apprehending  that  the 
power  of  the  queen's  relations  would  produce  difmal  ef- 
fects, in  prejudice  of  the  reformed  intereft  in  thefe  parts, 
thought  fit  to  preach  a  fermon,  wherein  "  he  taxed  the 
"  ignorance,  vanity,  and  defpite  of  princes,  againft  all 
t(  virtue,  and  againft  all  thofe  in  whom  hatred  of  vice 
"  and  love  of  virtue  appeared."    This  and  other  expref- 

fions, 


KNOX.  i:>7 

(ions,  in  reproof  of  dancing  for  joy  at  the  difpleafure  ta- 
ken againft:  GOD's  people,  coming  to  the  ears  of  the 
queen,  her  majefty  fent  for  him,  and  had  a  fecond  con- 
ference with  him.  ThemeiTage  was  brought  by  Alexan- 
der Ooekburae,  who  had  been  formerly  his  fcholar,  and 
the  conference  ended  with  the  queen's  declaring,  Ihe  had 
been  mil  informed.  This  year  he  was  appointed,  by  the 
general  aiTembly,  commiilioner  to  the  counties  of  Kyle  and 
Galloway  ;  and,  by  his  influence,  feveral  of  the  raoft  emi- 
nent gentlemen  of  Kyle,  Cunningham,  and  Carrick,  enter- 
ed into  a  bond  or  covenant  at  Air,  either  the  fame  or 
one  fimilar  to  that  entered  into  at  Edinburgh,  in  the  year 
1557,  which  was  fubfcribed  September  the  fourteenth, 
one  thoufand  feven  hundred  and  fixty-two. 

Mr.  Knox  went  from  the  mire  of  Air  to  Nithfdale  and 
Galloway,  and  had  feveral  conferences  about  matters  o/ 
great  importance  with  the  mafter  of  Maxwell ;  and  from 
this  county  he  wrote  to  the  duke  of  Chatelherault,  giving 
him  cautions  both  againft  the  bimop  of  St.  Andrews  and 
the  earl  of  Huntley,  whofe  counfel  she  judged  might  prove 
prejudicial  to  the  reformed  intereft.  At  this  time  he  ac- 
cepted a  challenge  made  by  an  eminent  perfon  among  the 
papifts,  a  Mr.  Ouintin  Kennedy,  a  foil  of  the  ho ule  of 
Caflils,  to  a  public  difpute  about  the  mafs,  which  w7as 
held  in  the  village  of  Maybole,  in  Carrick,  and  continued 
for  the  fpace  of  three  days,  and  was  afterwards  printed. 

In  1564,  lord  Darnley  being  married  to  the  queen,  was 
.advifed  by  the  proteibnts  about  court  to  hear  Mr.  Knox 
preach,  as  thinking  it  would  attribute  much  to  procure 
the  good-will  of  the  people.  At  their  defire  he  went,  on 
the  nineteenth  of  Augnit,  to  the  high-church,  but  was  fo 
much  offended  at  the  fermon,  that  he  complained  to  the 
council,  who  immediately  ordered  Mr.  Knox  before  them, 
and  forbad  him  to  preach  for  feveral  days.  His  text  was 
in  Ifaiahxxvi.  13  — 17.  0  Lord  our  GOD,  other  lords  than 
tlo'ii  have  reigned  ov?r  ust  &c*     From  thefe  words  he  took 

qc  cation* 


238  K    N    O    X. 

occafion  to  fpeak  of  the  government  of  wicked  princes^ 
who  for  the  iins  of  the  people  are  fent  as  tyrants  and 
fcourges  to  plague  them.  And  amongil  other  things,  he 
faid,  "  that  GOD  lets  in  that  room,  (for  the  offences 
"  and  ingratitude  of  the  people,)  boys  and  women." 
There  were  alfo  fome  oiher  words  uttered  by  him  which 
gave  great  offence  to  the  king,  as,  "  that  GOD  juflly 
(i  punifhed  Ahab  and  his  poflerity,  becaufe  he  would  not 
"  take  order  with  that  harlot  Jezabel."  Thefe  words 
the  council  told  him  had  given  great  offence  to  hismajefty, 
and  they  defired  him  to  abftain  from  preaching  fifteen  or 
twenty  days,  and  let  Mr.  Craig  fupply  the  place.  He 
anfwered,  that  he  had  fpoken  nothing  but  according  to 
his  text  ;  and  if  the  church  would  command  him  either 
to  fpeak  or  abilain,  he  would  obey  fo  far  as  the  word  of 
GOD  would  permit  him.  The  publifher  of  Mr.  Knox's 
hiffory  in  4to  adds  in  the  margin,  that  in  anfwering  he 
f aid  mere  than  he  had  preached ;  for  he  added,  "that 
f*  as  the  king  had  for  pleafure  of  the  queen  gone  to  mafs, 
u  and  difhonoured  the  Lord  GOD,  fo  mould  GOD  in 
"  his  juftice  make  her  an  inftrument  of  his  ruin;"  and 
fo  it  fell  out  in  a  very  fhort  time  ;  but  the  queen  being 
incenfed  at  thefe  words,  fell  into  tears,  and  to  pleafe  her, 
John  Knox  muff  abftain  from  preaching  for  a  time. 

The  general  affembly,  which  met  in  December  this  year 
in  their  fourth  feffion,  appointed  Mr.  Knox  to  draw  up 
a  confolatory  letter  in  their  name,  to  encourage  minifters, 
exhorters,  and  readers*  to  continue  in  their  vocations, 
which  many  were  under  great  temptation  to  leave  for 
want  of  fubilftence,  and  to  exhort  the  profeffors  of  the 
realm  to  fupply  their  neceffities.  He  was  alfo  appointed 
by  this  affembly  to  vifit,  preach,  and  plant,  the  kirks  of 
the  fonth,  till  the  next  affembly,  and  to  remain  as  long 
as  he  could  at  that  work. 

Mr.  Knox  requeued  the  general  affembly,  which  met  at 
Edinburgh  in  December,   1566,  that  he  might  have  leave 

to* 


KNOX. 


239 


to  go  to  England  to  vifit  two  of  his  fons,  probably  then  at 
fchool,  and  for  neceffary  affairs  in  that  kingdom.  Before 
he  fet  out,  he  had  ample  teftimonials  from  the  aflembly 
of  hfs  life,  do&rine,  and  ufefulnefs,  and  was  by  them  re- 
commended to  all  to  whom  he  ihould  come.  The  affem- 
bly  limited  his  abode  in  England  to  the  meeting  of  the 
next  general  aflembly,  to  be  held  in  June  following. 
The  general  aflembly  being  informed,  that  lbme  worthy 
and  learned  divines  in  England  were  proiecuted  by  the 
biihops,  becaufe  they  refuted  to  ufe  the  habits  appointed 
by  law  for  church-men,  caufed  a  letter  to  be  written  and 
fent  by  Mr.  Knox,  in  which  with  great  earneftnefs  they 
intreated,  that  they  might  deal  gently  with  fuch  ministers 
as  fcrupled  the  ufe  of  thofe  veftments. 

In  the  year  1567,  Mr.  Knox  preached  a  fermon  at  the 
coronation  of  K.  James  the  fixth  of  Scotland,  and  after- 
wards the  firil  of  Great  Britain.  This  fermon  is  much 
commended  by  Buchanan  in  his  Hiftory  of  Scotland.  This 
year  is  very  remarkable  in  Scotland,  upon  account  of  the 
great  turn  of  affairs  there  by  Q»  Mary's  refigningthe  go- 
vernment, and  by  the  appointment  of  the  earl  of  Murray 
to  be  regent.  The  firft  parliament  which  was  called  by 
the  earl  met  on  the  fifteenth  of  December.  It  was  a  very 
numerous  convention  of  all  the  ftates,  and  Mr.  Knox 
preached  a  very  zealous  fermon  at  the  opening  of  it;  and 
he  was  extremly  afflicted  at  the  regent's  death  in  1569. 
We  are  told  that  he  apprehending  the  intereft  of  religion 
would  be  expofed  to  the  utmoft  danger  by  the  earl  of 
Murray  or  regent's  fall  ;  and,  on  that  account,  exprefled 
himfelf  with  great  concern  both  in  public  and  private. 

In  the  year  157 1,  the  Hamiltons  and  others,  who  had 
entered  into  a  combination  againltthe  earl  of  Lenox,  then 
regent,  began  to  fortify  the  town  of  Edinburgh.  While 
they  were  thus  employed,  a  council  was  held  by  them  in 
the  cattle  on  the  fourth  of  May,  where  the  laird  of 
Grainge,  captain  of  the  cattle,  propoied  that  they  might 

give 


24*> 


KNOX. 


give  fecurky  for  the  perfon  of  Mr.  Knox,  which  was  alfo 
much  defired  by  the  town's-people.  The  Hamikons  an- 
fwered,  that  they  could  not  promife  him  fecurity  upon 
their  honour,  becaufe  there  were  many  in  the  town  who 
loved  him  not,  befides  other  disorderly  people,  that  might 
do  him  harm  without  their  knowledge.  Upon  this  an- 
fwer,  which  plainly  (hewed'  no  good  intention  to  Mr. 
Knox,  his  friends  in  the  town,  with  Mr.  Craig  his  col- 
league at  their  head,  intreated  him  to  leave  the  place,  by 
reaibn  of  the  impending  danger  to  him,  and  to  them  too 
upon  his  account,  in  defending  him  from  the  attempts  of 
the  contrary  party  ;  which,  being  alfo  the  ftrongeft,  would 
moft  probably  be  able  to  execute  their  deiigns  againft  him. 
Accordingly,  leaving  Edinburgh  on  the  fifth  of  May,  he 
.went  firft  to  Abbotfhallin  Fife,  and  thence  to  St.  Andrews, 
where  he  remained  till  the  twenty- third  of  Auguft,  in  the 
year   1572- 

That  year  there  was  a  convention  of  the  minifters  at 
Leith,  where  it  was  agreed,  that  a  certain  kind  of  epifco- 
pacy  fhould  be  introduced  into  the  church,  which  was 
•zealoufly  oppofed  by  our  reformer.  The  matter  itood 
thus  :  The  courtiers  had  got  the  far  greater  part  of  the 
revenues  of  the  bifhoprics,  but  they  could  not  get  a  color- 
able title  to  thefe  rents,  as  the  law  then  ftood,  except 
they  had  a  conveyance  from  thofe  who  had  the  title  of 
biihops;  for  this  reai'on  it  was  thought  a  good  expedient 
by  the  great  ones,  who  had  a  longing  mind  to  enjoy  the 
profits  of  the  biihoprics,  that  this  fort  of  bifhops  jfliould 
be  brought  into  the  church,  and  indeed  all  of  them,  by 
certain  pactions,  conveyed  the  far  greater  part  of  the  re- 
venues to  their  patrons,  refcrving  a  very  fmall  part  to 
themfeives.  Among  the  reit,  the  archbifhopric  of  St. 
Andrews  coming  to  the  ilia  re  of  the  earl  of  Morton,  that 
nobleman  deligned  Mr.  John  Douglafs,  reelor  of  the  uni- 
verfity  there,   in  whom  his  lordmip  had    an  entire  confi- 

For  this  purpofe  the 
electors 


KNOX.  241 

electors  were  convened  February  8th,  X572,  where,  after 
fome  oppofition,  he  was  elected  archbifhop.  Mr.  Knox 
being  then  in  St.  Andrews,  was  much  difpleafed  with  this 
election ;  and  the  next  Lord's-day,  being  to  preach  in 
the  forenoon  where  the  earl  of  Morton  was  prefent,  he 
not  only  peremptorily  refufed  to  inaugurate  and  receive 
the  new-elected  bifhop,  but  publicly  denounced  an  ana- 
thema both  to  the  giver  and  receiver  of  this  bimopric. 
Notwithstanding  this  oppofition,  Mr-  Douglafs  was  ad- 
mitted archbiihop  according  to  the  order  for  admitting 
fuperintendants  and  minifters ;  for  they  had  not  as  yet 
framed  any  particular  form  for  admitting  bilhops.  Mr. 
J.  Rutherford,  provoft  of  the  Old-college  of  St.  Andrews, 
and  mellieurs  Arch,  and  John  Hamilton,  profeflbrs  in  the 
New-college,  fpread  a  report  next  week,  that  Mr.  Knox's 
oppofition  to  the  bifhops  proceeded  from  a  pique  that  he 
was  not  elected  himfelf.  This  coming  to  his  ears,  he 
vindicated  himfelf  from  the  pulpit  next  Lord's-day  in 
words  to  the  following  purpofe  :  u  I  have  refufed  a  far 
4  f  greater  bifhopric  than  ever  it  was,  which  I  might  have 
f*  had  with  the  favour  of  greater  men  than  ever  he  had 
<{  his  ;  I  did  and  do  repine,  not  from  malecontent,  but 
iC  for  the  difcharge  of  my  confcience,  that  the  kirk  of 
*■-  Scotland  be  not  fubjecl  to  that  order.''  This  feems  to 
refer  to  the  offer  that  we  have  obferved  was  made  him  of 
a  bimopric  in  England  in  Edward  Vlth's  time. 

The  troubles  of  the  country  being  much  abated,  and 
the  people  of  Edinburgh,  who  had  been  obliged  to  leave 
it,  being  returned,  they  lent  two  of  their  number,  viz* 
Nlcol.  Edward  and  John  Johnfton,  fcribe,  to  St.  Andrews 
to  invite  Mr.  Knox  to  return  to  them. 

Mr.  Knox  left  St.  Andrews,  Auguft  17th,  and  came  to 
Leith  on  the  twenty-third.  Upon  the  lad  day-  of  that 
month,  he  preached  in  the  great  kirk  ;  but  his  voice  was 
become  very  weak,  and  therefore  he  deftred  another  place 

X  t® 


.242  KNOX. 

• 

to  teach  in,  where  his  voice  might  be  heard,  if  it  werel 
but  to  a  hundred  perfons.;  which  was  granted. 

Mr-  Knox  preached  as  long  as  he  had  flrength  of  body  ;  j 
but  his  health  was  greatly  impaired  by  the  news  of  the 
maflacreof  the  proteftants  at  Paris  about  this  time.  It 
was  brought  to  Edinburgh  about  the  twelfth  of  Septem- 
ber, by  Mr.  Killigrew,  ambaffador  from  Qj  Elizabeth. 
However,  he  introduced  it  into  his  next  fermon,  with  his 
ufual  denunciation  of  GOD's  vengeance  thereon,  which 
he  defired  the  French  ambaffador,  monfieur  La  Croque, 
might  be  acquainted  with.  The  denunciation  was  to  this  I 
purport,  "  Sentence  is  pronounced  in  Scotland  againft  that  j 
"  murderer  the  king  of  France,  and  GOD's  vengeance 
4i  mall  never  depart  from  him  nor  his  houfe  ;  but  hisname 
M  mail  remain  an  execration  to  posterity  ;  and  none,  that 
9  mall  come  of  his  loins,  mall  enjoy  that  kingdom  in 
et  peace  and  cuiietnefs,  unlefs  repentance  prevent  GOD's 
■"  judgment."  The  ambaffador  being  told  it,  applied  to 
the  regent  and  council,  and  complained  that  his  mafter 
was  called  a  traitor  and  murderer  of  his  fubjects,  under 
a  promife  and  trufl ;  and  defired  that  an  edict  might  be 
publiihed,  prohibiting  the  fubjects  of  Scotland  to  fpeak 
any  thing  to  the  difhonour  of  his  mailer,  efpecially  the 
miniflers  in  their  fermons.  This  was  waved  by  the 
council,  and  the  ambaffador  was  told,  that  they  could 
not  hinder  the  miniflers  from  fpeaking  even  againft  them* 
felves. 

Cn  Sunday,  November  the  ninth,  in  the  year  157a,  he 
admitted  Mr.  Lawfcn,  a  minifler  of  Edinburgh.  But  his 
voice  was  fo  weak,  that  very  few  could  hear  him  ;  he  de- 
clared the  mutual  duty  between  a  minifler  and  his  flock .; 
he  praifed  GOD,  who  had  given  them  one  in  his  room, 
who  was  now  unable  to  teach,  and  defired  that  GOD 
.might  augment  his  graces  to  him  a  thoufand  fold  above 
that  which  he  had,  if  it  were  his  pleafure,  and  ended  with 
pronouncing  the  bleffing.     From  this  day  he  haflened  to 

his 


KNOX.  a43 

his  end.  Upon  the  eleventh,  he  was  feized  with  a  violent 
cough-  and  great  pains  of  the  body  ;  breathing  continu- 
ally with  more  and  more  difficulty,  till  he  breathed  his 
laft-  When  his  friends  advifed  him  to  fend  for  fomephy- 
ficians,  he  fmilingly  confented  ;  faying,  "  I  would  not 
u  either  defpife,  or  neglect,  ordinary  means  ;  but  of  this 
u  I  am  certain,  that  GOD  will  fhortly  put  an  end  to  my 
"  warfare  below.' ' 

1  he  day  after,  he  ordered  his  fejrvants  to  be  paid  their 
wages;  whom,  at  the  fame  time,  he  earneftly  exhorted, 
i(  to  walk  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord  ;  and  to  live  fo,  as  be- 
*  came  Chriftians  educated  in  that  family. "  His  diforder 
growing  worfeand  worfe,  he  was  forced  to  pretermit  his 
ordinary  method  of  reading  ;  which  ufed  to  be,  every- 
day, fome  chapters  of  the  New  Teftament,  and  in  the 
Old,  particularly  the  Pfalms  ;  and  fome  ufeful  portion 
©f  ecclefiaftical  hiftory.  In  the  mean  while,  he  requeued 
his  wife  (Margaret  Stewart,  a  devout  woman,  and  a  molt 
affectionate  partner  of  his  faith  and  cares),  and  Richard 
Ballantine,  his  fervant,  who  was  always  very  dear  to  him 
for  his  remarkable  piety,  that  they  would  take  care  to  read 
to  him,  every  day  while  he  lived,  the  feventeenth  chapter 
of  St.  John's  gofpel,  one  or  other  of  the  chapters  of  the 
epiftle  to  the  Ephefians,  and  the  fifty- third  chapter  of 
liaiah :  Which  injunction  they  never  once  emitted. 

He  was  always  peculiarly  fond  of  the  book  of  Pfalms, 
GOD  having  greatly  blefled  them  to  his  foul.  With  fome 
felect  portions  of  thofe  admirable  compofitions,  he  was 
much  comforted  in  life,  and  Itrengthened  in  death. 

The  day  following,  he  rofe  from  his  bed  by  feven 
o'clock  :  And  being  afked,  '  Why,  when  he  was  fo  weak 
'  and  fick,  he  would  not  rather  chufe  to  reit  himfelf  ?' 
he  anfwered,  "  I  have  been  this  whole  night  taken  up 
"  with  the  meditation  of  the  refurrection  of  Jefus  Chrift 
"  my  Lord  ;  and  would  with  joy  get  into  the  pulpit,  that 
*'  I  might  communicate,  to  others,  the  comfort  I  havein- 

**  wardly 


•244  KNOX. 

"  war dly  enjoyed  from  reflecting  on  that  blefTed  fiibjecl.*' 
So  intent  was  he  on  the  work  of  the  Lord,  even  to  his 
laft  breath ;  and  when,  for  want  of  ftrength,  he  could 
icarce  be  lifted  out  of  bed  by  the  affiftance  of  two  fervants- 
A  few  days  after,  he  fent  for  all  the  minifters   of  the 
feveral  churches  in  Edinburgh,  to  whom,  being  affembled 
round  his  bed,  he  thus  addrefled  himfelf  ;  "  That  day  is 
"  now  at  hand,  which  I    have   fo  often  and  intensely 
*(  longed  for  ;  in  which,  having  finifhed  my  labours,  and 
<c  gone  through  my  various  forrows,  I  mall  be  diffolved, 
**  and  be  with  Chrift.     And  I  appeal  to  GOD,  whom  I 
<e  have  ferved  in  the  fpirit  in  the  gofpel  of  his  Son,  that 
<(  I  have  taught  nothing  but  the  true  and  folid  do&rines 
l(  of  his  word:  Having  made  this  my  main  view,  through 
iC  the  whole  courfe  of  my  miniftry,  to  inftruct  the  igno- 
a  rant;  to  edify  and  comfort  believers;  lift  up  and  con- 
<c  firm,  with  the  promifes  of  grace,  thofe  who  were  weak, 
<<  fearful,  and  doubting,  through  the  fear  of  wrath  and 
e*  confcioufnefs  of  fin  ;  and  to  beat  down  haughty  rebel- 
li  lious  fmners,  with  the  threatnings  and  terrors  of  the 
(e  Lord.  And  although  many  have  frequently  complained 
<•  of  my  harilmefs  in  preaching,  yet,  GOD  knows,  that 
"  I  did  not  thus  deal  out  thunders  and  feverity,  from 
i(  hatred  to  the  perfons  of  any :  Though  this  I*  will  ac- 
*'  knowledge,  that  the  fins,  in  which  they  indulged  them- 
tl  felves,  were  the  objecls  of  my  keeneft  hatred  andrefent- 
i(  ment :  and,  in  my  whole  miniftry,  this  was  my  fmgle 
({  aim,  if  I  might  by  any  means  gain  over  their  fouls  to 
«  the  Lord.     My  motive,  for  fpeaking  freely  and  plainly, 
a  whatever  the  Lord  gave  me  to  fay,  without  reipec"t  of 
<l  perfons,  was  nothing  but  reverence  to  that  GOD,  who 
il  called  me  by  his  grace,  and  made  me  the  difpenfer  of 
"  his  divine  myiteries :  Before  whole  tribunal  I  knew  I 
"  muft  one  day  (land,  to  give  account  for  my  difcharge 
"  of  that  embafly  and   commiflion  wherewith  he  had  in- 
<    veiled  me.     Wherefore  I  profefs,  before  GOD  and  his 

«  hoK 


K    M     O    X.  245 

*<  holy  angels,  that  I  have  never  knowingly  adulterated 
"  his  facred  word,  held  back  any  of  his  counfel  from  mV 
t(  people,  ftudied  to  f leafs  men,  or  give  way  to  my  own 
"  or  or.hers  corrupt  ajfeclions  or  fecular  intereft ;  but  have 
u  faithfully  expended  the  talents  committed  to  me,  for 
"  the  good  of  the  church  over  whom  I  was  in  the  Lord. 
"  To  the  truth  of  this,  my  confluence  beareth  teftirnony  ; 
"  which  is  a  comfort  to  me,  notwithstanding  the  various 
"  Danders  which  fome  have  made  it  their  bufinefs  to  caft 
u  upon  me.  And  do  ye,  my  deareft  brethren  in  the  faith 
*'  and  labour  of  Jefus,  perfiitin  the  everlafting  truths  of 
"  his  goipel  :  Look  diligently  to  the  flocks,  with  whole 
"  overlight  GOD  hath  intruded  you  ;  and  which  he  hath 
"  redeemed  to  himfelf  by  the  blood  of  his  Son.  And 
"  do' you,  my  brother  Lawlbn,  fight  the  good  fight,  and 
"  finilh  the  work  of  GOD,  to  which  you  are  called,  with 
li  alacrity  and  faithful nef's.  May  GOD  fliowcr  down 
"  his  bleifing  from  on  high,  upon  you  and  your  feveral 
"  charges  in  this  city  ;  which,  fo  long  as  they  continue 
"  to  hold  faft  thoi'e  doctrines  of  truth,  which  they  have 
•'<  heard  of  me,  the  gates  of  hell  (hall  never  be  able  to 
fe  prevail  againft.  And  beware  of  thofe,  who  have  not 
*•'  only  oppoied  the  royal  government,  but  even  forfaken 
"  the  truth  which  they  once  profeiled  :  Againft  whom  I 
•'•'  denounce,  that,  nnlefs  they  fincerely  repent,  and  re- 
ci  Urn  to  the  good  way  which  they  have  left,  they  fhall 
"  one  day  milerably  periih  in  foul  and-  body.  I  would 
"  fay  more  y  but  cannot,  as  1  am  fcarce  able  to  draw  my 
*f  breath."  With  thefe  words  he  difmifTed  them  :  He 
was  then  vifited  by  the  chief  nobility  of  the  town,  among 
q  was  lord  Morton,  afterwards  viceroy  of  the  king- 
dom :  as  alio  by  ibme  godly  ladies. of  the 'firft  quality  : 
None  of  whom  he  fullered  to  depart,  without  a  word  of 
comfort  or  exhortation,  as  their  feparatfi  cafes'  required. 
Perceiving  death  to  approach  nearer  and  nearer,  he  gave 
*{ot  his  coilia  to  be  made  :  After  v,hi;h;  he  burr) 
X  2  ford 


246  K    N     O     X. 

forth  to  this  efFecl: ;    «  Lord  Jefus,  fweeteft  Saviour,  into 
<e  thy  hands  I  commend  my  ipirit.  Look,  I  beieech  thee, 
"  with  favour,   upon  this  church  which   thou  haft  re- 
u  deemed,  and    reftore   peace  to  this  afHicled  common- 
wealth.    Ilaife  up  paftors  after  thine  own  heart,  who 
"  may  take  care  of  thy  church  ;  and  grant  that  we  may 
{*  learn,  as  well  from  the  blemngs  as  from  the   chaftife- 
•'  ments  of  thy  providence,   to  abhor  fin,  and  love  thee 
i(  with  full  purpofe  of  heart."     Then,  turning  to  thofe 
about  him,  he  faid,  «  O  wait  on  the  Lord  with  fear,  and 
"  death  will  not  be  terrible  :  Yea,  bleffed  and  holy  will 
<e  their  death  be,  who  are  interested  in  the  death  of  the 
"  Son  of  GOD."  Being  alked,  by  an    intimate  friend, 
whether   he   felt   much-   pain  ?  he   replied,    "  I  cannot 
"  look  upon   that  as    pain,  which   brings  on  the  end  of 
u  mortality  and  trouble,    and  is  the  beginning  of  life." 
Having  then  ordered  thofe  pailages  of  fcripture,  above- 
mentioned,  to  be  distinctly  read  to  him,  he  repeated  the 
Lord's  prayer  and    the  apoftles'  creed ;  .enlarging,  as  he 
went  on,  raoft  fweetly  and  fpiritually,  upon  each  of  the 
feparate  petitions  and  articles,  to  the  great  comfort  and 
edification  of  them  that  were  by.     Afterwards,  lifting  up 
his  hands  toward  heaven,  he  cried  out,  "  To  thee,  Lord, 
"  do  I  commit  myfelf.     Thou  knoweft,  how  intenfe  my 
"  pains  are  ;  but  I  do  not  complain  :  Yea,  Lord,  if  inch 
"  be  vthy  will  concerning  me,  I  could  be  content  to  bear 
11  thefe  pains   for  many    years  together  :  Only  do  thou 
"  continue  to  enlighten  my  mind  through  Chrifl  Jefus." 
He  palTed   that  night,  with  more  eafe  and  complacency 
than   ufual ;  the  fifteenth   chapter  of  i  Cor.    being  fre- 
quently read  to  him,  at  his  own  defire  :  Which  being 
done,  he  would  cry  out,  "  O  what  fweet  and  heavenly 
"  confolations  does  my  Lord  aftbrd  me,  from  this  blelfed 
"  chapter !"    But,  when  one  of   his  eyes    grew  blind, 
and  his   fpeech   began  to  fail,    he  cried,  faintly,  <f  Turn 
"  to  the  feventeenth  of  St.  John,  and  read  it  carefully  ; 

"  for 


KNOX.  247 

"  for  there  I  caft  my  firft  anchor."    Whan  that  was  read, 
he  refted  a  little  :  But  foon   began  to    utter  very  heavy 
groans  and  deep  fighs;  fo  that   the  by-itanders  plainly- 
perceived,  he  was  grappling  withfome  very  great  tempta- 
tion.    There  were,  at  this  time,  prefent  in  the  room, one 
John  Johnfon,  a  holy  man,  and  Robert  Camphell,  a  great 
friend  to  the  gofpel ;  Mrs.  Knox,  and  others  ;  who,  ob- 
ferving  his  agonies,   thought  him  to   be  in  the   pains  of 
death.     At  length,  however,  contrary  to  their  expecta- 
tion,   he  recovered,  like  one   awaked  from  fleep :  And, 
being  aiked  how  he  did,  anfwered,  "  Many  have  been 
my  conflicts  with  fatan,  in  the  courfe  of  my  frail  life, 
and  many  the  attaints  which  I  have  fuftained  :  But  that 
roaring  lion  never  befet  me,  io  furiouily  and  forcibly, 
as  now.     Often    has  he  let    my  ims   in  array  before 
me ;  often  has  he  tempted   me  to  defpair  ;  and  often 
drove  to  eninare  me  w  ith  the  enticements  of  the  world: 
But,  I  being  enabled  to  hew    his  fnares  in  pieces  with 
the  fword  of  the  Spirit,   which  is  the  word  of  GOD, 
he  was  not  able  to  prevail    againft  me.     But  now  he 
has  found  out  a  new   way.     That  crafty  ferpent  has 
endeavoured  to  perfuade  me,  that,  becaufe  I  have  faith- 
fully and  fuccefsfully  dilcharged  ray  minitterial  office, 
I  am  on  that  account  deferving  of  eternal  life  and  an 
happy  immortality.     But  GOD  was  pleafed  to  make 
me  triumphant  over  this  temptation  alib,  by  power- 
fully fuggeiting  to  my  memory  thofe  texts,  What  haft 
thou,  that  thou  didft  not  receive  P  and,  By  the  grace  of 
GOD,  I  am  what  I  am :  And  Not  1,  hut  the  grace  if 
GOD  ivhich  was  imih  me :  And  others,  with  which  I 
foiled  the  enemy,  and  quenched  his  fiery  darts.  J  thank 
my  GOD,  therefore,  through  Chrift,  who  has  vouch - 
fafed  me  the  victory ;  and  I  have  a  certain  perfuafion 
in  my  own  bread,  that  fatan  mail  not  be  permitted  to 
return,  or  moled  me  any  more,  in  my  paflage  to  glory  : 
But  that  I  mail,  without  any  pain  of  body,  or  agony 

«  of 


243  K    N     O     X. 

"  of  foul,  fweetly  and  peacefully  exchange  this  wretched 
"  life  for  that  bleifed  and  immortal  one,  which  is  through 
li  Chriil  Jefus."  Then  evening  prayers  were  laid  ;  and 
being  alked,  whether  he  could  hear  them  diitinctly  ?  he 
anfwered,  "  Would  to  GOD  you  all  heard  with  fuch  ears, 
w  and  perceived  with  the  fame  mind,  as  I  am  enabled  to 
*'  do  !  And  now,  Lord  Jefns,  receive  my  fpirit  !"  Where- 
upon, certain  fymptoms  of  immediate  death  appearing, 
he  was  delired  to  give  fome  fign,  whereby  they  might 
know,  that  he  died  in  the  ftedfaft  belief  and  enjoyment 
of  thofe  gofpel  truths,  which  he  had  taught  when  living  ; 
and  likewife,  of  his  comfortable  alTurance  of  a  blifsful 
immortality  through  Chrift.  On  which,  as  if  he  had  re- 
ceived freih  ftrength,  he  triumphantly  lifted  his  hand  to- 
ward heaven,  and  continued  waving  it,  for  a  considerable 
time  :  And  then  quietly  departed  to  the  reft  which  remain- 
eth  for  the  people  of  GOD,  on  November  25,  1572,  about 
eleven  o'clock  at  night* 

He  was  interred  on  the  twenty -fixth,  in  the  kirk-yard 
of  St.  Giles's,  the  corpfe  being  attended  by  feveral  lords 
who  were  then  at  Edinburgh,  and  particularly  the  earl  of 
Morton,  that  day  chofen  regent,  who,  as  foon  as  he  was 
laid  in  the  grave,  faid,  l  There  lies  a  man,  who  in  his 
'  life  never  feared  the  face  of  a  man,  who  hath  been  often 
*  threatened  with  dag  and  dagger,  bat  yet  hath  ended  his 
<  days  in  peace  and  honour.  For  he  had  GOD's  provi- 
6  dence  watching  over  him  in  a  fpeciai  manner,  when  his 
*■  very  life  was  fought.'  The  following  among  many 
other  inftances  is  very  remarkable  :  It  was  his  cultom  to 
lit  at  the  table- head  in  Ins  own  houfe  with  his  back  to  a 
window ;  yet,  on  a  certain  night  he  would  neither  fit 
there  in  his  own  chair,  nor  allow  any  other  perfon  to  fit 
in  it  ;  but  fat  in  another  chair  with  his  back  to  the  table, 
when  a  bullet  was  mot  in  the  window  purpofely  to  kill 
him  ;  but  the  confpirators  mined  him,  and  the  bullet  gra- 
zed on  the  chair  in  which  he   ufed  to  fit/  and  lighted  on 

the 


KNOX.  249 

the  candleftick,  and  made  a  hole  in  the  foot  of  it,  which  is 
yet  to  be  feen :  And  I  am  allured  the  identical  chair  is 
now  in  the  hall  of  the  truftees  of  the  widow's  fcheme,  in 
Edinburgh. 

It  will  not  be  improper  to  infert  here  the  character  of 
this  famous  Scottifh  reformer,  as  it  is  drawn  by  the  elegant 
pen  of  Dr.  Robertfon,  in  his  hiftory  of  Scotland,  book  VI. 
"  Zeal,  intrepidity,  ditintereilednefs  (fays  that  incompa- 
*<  rable  writer)  were  virtues  which  he  pofleiied  in  an 
"  eminent  degree.  He  was  acquainted,  too,  with  the 
"  learning  cultivated  in  that  age ;  and  excelled  in  that; 
"  fpecies  of  eloquence  which  is  calculated  to  roufe  and 
"  inflame.  His  maxims,  however,  were  often  too  ievere, 
"  and  the  impetuofity  of  his  temper  exceflive.  Rigid 
"  and  uncomplying  himfelf,  he  mewed  no  indulgence 
*<  to  the  infirmities  of  others.  Regardlefs  of  the  diftinc- 
"  tions  of  rank  and  character,  he  uttered  his  admonitions 
"  with  an  acrimony  and  vehemence  more  apt  to  irritate 
*<  than  to  reclaim.  This  often  betrayed  him  into  inde- 
««  cent  and  undutiful  expreflions  with  refpect  to  the 
iC  queen's  perfon  and  conduct.  Thofe  very  qualities,, 
**  however,  which  now  rendered  his  character  lefs  amia- 
"  ble,  fitted  him  to  be  the  inftrument  of  Providence  for 
"  advancing  the  reformation  among  a  fierce  people,  and 
<l  enabled  him  to  face  dangers,  and  to  furmount  oppofi- 
*'  tion,  from  which  a  perfon  of  a  more  gentle  fpirit 
"  would  have  been  apt  to  (brink  back.  By  an  unweari- 
f*  ed  application  to  itudy  and  to  bufinefs,  as  well  as  by 
Ai  the  frequency  and  fervour  of  his  public  difcourfes,  he 
"  had  worn  out  a  conftitution  naturally  ftrong.  During 
<c  a  lingering  illnefs,  he  difcovered  the  utmoft  fortitude, 
<l  and  met  the  approaches  of  death  with  the  magnanimity 
*<  infeparable  from  his  character.  He  was  conftantly 
"  employed  in  acts  of  devotion,  and  comforted  himfelf 
"  with  thofe  profpects  of  immortality,  which  not  only 

"  preferv© 


250  KNOX. 

"  prefer ve   good   men   from   defponding,  but   fill  then* 
"  with  exultation  in  their  kift  moments." 

After  Mr.  Knox's  death  came  out  his  famous  Hiftoryof 
the  reformation  of  religion  within  the  realm  of  Scot- 
land, &c.  probably  firft  printed  in  London,  1586,  8vo  y 
again  at  London  in  1644,  foL  and  the  fame  year  at  Edin- 
burgh, in  4to,  and  a  fourth  time  at  Edinburgh,  1732,  fol- 
This  edition  is  printed  from  a  MS.  in  the  library  of  the 
college  at  Glafgow,  an  account  of  which,  and  of  three 
others  is  given  by  the  editor,  in  our  Author's  life  prefixed 
*o  it.  Befides  this  work  he  publifheda  great  many  others, 
and  a  number  of  his  writings  are  {Hll  in  manufcript. 


JOHN     ROGERS,, 

Tk2  PROTO-MARTYR  under  Q.  MARY. 


THIS  brave  champion  for  the  truth,  who  had  the 
honour  of  being  Proto-Martyr,  or  the  firft  that 
ft  as  burned  for  the  gofpel,  in  the  reign  of  queen  Mary  of 
England,  was  educated  at  the  univeriity  of  Cambridge  ; 
where  he  attained  to  a  great  proficiency  in  learning:  From 
thence  he  waschofenby  a  company  of  merchants  to  be  their 

chaplain 


ROGERS. 


25 1 


chaplain  at  Antwerp  ;  to  whom  he  preached  many  years. 
He  there  happily  became  acquainted  with  William  Yhdale 
and  Miles  Coverdale,  who  lied  thither  from  the  perfec- 
tion of  the  papiits  under  king  Henry  VIII.  in  England  ; 
and,  by  their  means,  coming  -to  the  true  knowledge  of 
Jefus  Chrill,  he  joined  heartily  wttfy  them  in  the  labo- 
rious and  commendable  work  of  tranflating  the  bible 
into  Englifh,  and^was  thereby  lo  much  enlightened  in  the 
doctrines  of  the  gofpel,  that  he  call  off  the  futile  and 
idolatrous  worlhip  of  the  church  of  Rome.  At  Antwerp 
he -married  his  wife,  and  from  thence  went  to  Wittenberg, 
daily  increafing  in  knowledge,  and  became  fucha  proficient 
in  the  Dutch  language,  that  he  was  chofen  pallor  of  a  con- 
gregation there  ;  which  office  he  discharged  with  great 
diligence  and  faithfulnefs  for  fome  years.  In  king  Ed- 
ward's time,  he  was  fent  for  home  by  the  bifhop  Ridley, 
and  made  prebendary  and  divinity-lecturer  of  St.  Paul's, 
where  he  preached  faithfully  and  zealouily  till  the  com- 
ing in  of  queen  Mary.  In  the  beginning  of  her  reign,  in 
a  fermon  at  Paul's  crofs,  he  exhorted  the  people  £fed- 
faflly  and  perfeveringly  to  adhere  to  that  doctrine,  which 
they  had  been  taught,  and  to  beware  of  peftilent  popery ? 
idolatry,  and  fuperftition.  His  zeal  could  not  long  be 
unnoticed  ;  and  accordingly  he  was  foon  called  before  the 
privy  council,  where  he  anfwered  fo  fcripturally,  fenfibly, 
and  boldly,  and  at  the  fame  time  in  fo  becoming  a  man- 
ner, that,  for  that  time,  he  was  difmifTed.  But,  after  the 
queen's  proclamation  againft  the  preaching  of  the  truth 
came  forth,  he  was  again  called  before  the  popifh  bifhops 
(who  thirfted  for  his  blood)  and  committed  prifoner  to  his 
own  houfe ;  from  whence  he  might  eafily  have  efcaped, 
and  to  which  indeed  he  had  many  inducements  ;  viz.  his 
wife  and  ten  children,  his  many  friends  in  Germany,  and 
the  undoubted  preferment  he  would  there  have  met  with  ; 
tut  being  once  called  toanfwer  inChrUVs  caufe,  he  would 

net 


25*  R     O     G    E    R    S- 

not  depart,  though  he  ftayed  at  the  hazard  and  (as  will 
be  feen)  to  the  lofs  of  his  life. 

After  being  confined  a  prifoner  in  his  own  houfe  about 
fix  months,  he  was  removed  to  Newgate,  and  there  kept 
for  a  long  time  among  thieves  and  murderers.  At  length, 
on  the  twenty- feco^,  and  feveral  other  days,  of  January, 
in  1555,  he  was  examined  before  Dr.  Gardiner,  bifliop 
of  Winchefter,  and  others,  in  a  very  illiberal  and  cruel 
manner  ;  they  not  permitting  him  to  fpeak  or  anfwer  for 
himfelf,  nor  yet  to  defend  his  do&rines  in  writing :  And 
on  the  twenty-ninth  of  the  fame  month,  Gardiner  and 
others  pronounced  fentence  againft  him  in  the  following 
manner  ;  c  In  the  name  of  God,  Amen.  We  Stephen, 
'  by  the  permiffion  of  God,  bifhop  of  Winchefter,  &c  do 
f  find  that    thou  haft   taught,  holden,  and  affirmed,  and 

*  obftinately  defended  divers  errors,  herefies,  and  dam* 
4  nable  opinions,  contrary  to  the  doclrine  and  determi- 
'  nation  of  the  holy  church ;  as  namely  thefe  ;  "  That 
u  the  catholic  church  of  Rome  is  the  church  of  anti- 
"  chrift  :  Jtem}  that,  in  the  facrament  of  the  altar,  there 
"  is  not,  fubftantially  nor  really,  the  natural  body  and 
"  blood  of  Chrift."     We   do  therefore   judge  thee  and 

*  condemn  thee,  John  Rogers,  othervvife  called  Matthews 

*  (thy  demerits  and  faults  being  aggravated  through  thy 
e  damnable  obftinacy)  as  guilty  of  nioft  deteftable  here- 
e  fies,  and  as  an  obftinate  impenitent  {inner,  refufmg 
6  to  return  to  the  lap  and  unity  of  the  holy  mother 
'  church,  and  that  thou  haft  been  and  art  by  law  ex- 
'  communicate  ;  and  do  pronounce    and  declare  thee  to 

*  be  an  excommunicate  perfon.     Alfo  we  pronounce  and 

*  declare  thee,  being  an  heretic,  to  be  caft  out  from  the 
J  church,  and  left  unto  the  judgment  of  the  fecular 
'  power,  by  this  our  fentence   definitive,  which  we  here 

*  lay  upon  and  againft  thee,  with  forrow  of  heart.' 

When  this  fentence  was    read,  Mr.   Rogers  again  at- 
tempted to  fpeak  ;  but  was  not   fullered.     He  then  afked 

of 


ROGERS. 


253 


of  them,  to  permit  his  wife,  a  poor  Granger,  to  fee  him 
before  he  fullered  ;  but  this  alio  was  denied,  and  ihewas 
abfolutely  forbidden.  Gardiner  told  him,  that  he  was 
a  brieft,  and  could  not  pouibly  have  a  wife  ;  thus  joining 
infult  to  cruelty.  When  he  lyas  taken  back  to  prifon, 
after  this  and  every  preceding  day's  examination,  he 
wrote  down  the  queftions  put  to  him,  and  his  anfwers, 
as  far  as  they  would  allow  him  to  fpeak,  and  alfo  whgt 
he  would  have  faid,  had  he  been  permitted  ;  which,  be- 
came of  their  length,  we  cannot,  confident  with  our 
plan,  infert  ;  but  nmft  refer  thofe  who  wiih  to  fee  them 
at  large  to  Fox's  martyrology  :  Yet,  on  account  of  their 
excellency,  we  prefume  it  will  be  acceptable  to  our 
readers  in  general  to  fee  fo  much  of  them,  as  may  ferve 
for  a  fpecimen  of  the  truewifdom,  piety,  and  zeal  of  this 
great  and  good  man. 

"  But  here  (fays  he)  they  will  cry  out ;  Lo,  thefe  men 
"  will  be  ilill  a  John  Baptift,  an  apoftle,  a  prophet,  &c. 
(i  —  I  anfwer,  We  make  not  ourfelves  like  unto  them, 
*•  in  the  gifts  and  power  of  God  beftowed  on  them  to 
if  the  working  of  miracles,  and  the  like ;  but  that  we 
*'  are  like  them  in  believing  the  fame  doclrine,  and  in 
**'  fuffering  perfeQUtion  and  fhame  for  the  fame.  We 
ci  preach  their  very  doctrine,  and  none  other  :  This  we 
u  are  able  to  prove  from  their  writings,  which  I  have 
"  proifered  to  do  again  and  again  by  writing.  And,  for 
*?  this  caufe,  we.  fuffer  the  like  reproach,  fhame,  and 
"  rebuke  of  the  world  ;  fuffering  the  fame  perfecutioriy 
*'  to  the  lofs  of  our  goods,  and  even  of  our  lives;  and 
"  to  the  forfaking  (.  as  our  mafter  Chrifr  commandeth) 
"  father,  mother,  lifter,  brethren,  wives,  children,  &c. 
"  being  affured  of  a  joyful  refurreclion,  and  to  be  crowned 
"  in  glory  with  them,  according  to  the  infallible  pro. 
"  miles  made  unto  us  in  Ghrift,  our  only  and  all-fufficient 
*  Mediator,  Reconciler,  Prieft,  and  Sacrifice  :  Who,  for 
K  us;  as  well  as  them,  hath  pleafed  the  Father;  quieted 
^  "  and 


^54 


ROGERS. 


■**  and  pacified  his  wrath  againft  our  fins  ;  and,  byimpu. 
xt  tation,  hath  made  us  without  fpot  or  wrinkle  in  hk 
i(  fight  ;  although  we,  of  and  in  ourfelves,  are  polluted 
"  with  many  filthy  fins,  which  if  the  meafurelels,  un- 
u  fpeakable  mercy  and  love  of  God  in  Chrift  did  not  put 
<<  away,  by  not  imputing  them  to  us,  would  have  brought 
<(  us  to  everlafting  damnation,  and  death  perpetual. — In 
6(  this,  and  in  no  other  fenfe,  do  we  affirm  ourfelves  to 
"  be  like  Chrift  our  head,  his  apofties,  prophets,  martyrs, 
"  and  faints.  And  i'o  far  ought  all  Chriftians  to  be  like 
4t  them,  according  to  the  meafure  of  faith,  and  the  di- 
f<  verfity  of  the  gifts  of  the  Spirit,  that  God  hath  given 
a  unto  them. 

"  But  let  us  now  confider,  that,  if  it  be  God's  good 
ie  will  and  pleafure  to  give  the  members  of  his  beloved 
li  church  into  the  hands  of  their  enemies,  it  is  to  chaften, 
Ci  try,  and  prove  them,  to  bring  them  to  an  unfeigned 
"  acknowledgement  of  their  natural  pervenenefs  anddif- 
(<  obedience  towards  God  and  his  commandments,  as 
il  touching  their  love  of  God;  their  brethren  and  neigh- 
a  hours ;  and  to  fhew  them  their  natural  inclination  and 
lt  readinefs  to  feek  their  own  eafe  and  pleafure;  and  to 
<'  delire  that  good  from  the  creature  which  God  has  for- 
-il  hid,  as  only  to  be  found  in  himfelf.  And  in  order, 
(t  that  having  fallen  into  grofs  outward  fins,  like  David, 
"  Peter,  and  others,  they  may  be  brought  to  a  true  and 
4i  earneft  repentance,  and  totigh  and  cry  for  the  forgive- 
J4  nefs  of  the  fame,  and  for  the  aid  of  the  Spirit,  daily 
P  to  mortify  and  fubdue  all  evil  deiires  and  affections  in 
"  future.  And  many  other  wife  and  gracious  purpofes 
■<-'  of  the  Lord  concerning  his  people  are  anfwered  by 
"  their  being  often  put  into  the  furnace  of  affliction- 
**  But  let  us  alfo  confider  what  he  doth  with  thofe  ene- 
<l  mies  into  whofe  hands  he  giveth  his  tender  darlings 
w  to  be  cnaifened  and  tried-  In  truth,  he  dees  but  chaf- 
<(  ten  andcrofs  them  for  a  little  while,  according  to  his 

<<  fatheily 


ROGERS.  255 

r  fatherly  love  and  good  pleafure,  as  all  fathers  do  their 
"  children  (Heb.  xii.  and  Prov.  iii.) ;.  but  he  utterly  de- 
"  ftroyeth,  yea  and  cverlaiftngly  damneth  their  impe- 
u  nitent  enemies. 

"  Let~Herod  tell  me  what  he  got  by  killing  James,  and- 
"  by  persecuting  Peter,  and  Chrift's  tender  darlings  and 

*  beloved  fpoufe,  his  church?  Verily  God  thought  him- 
"  not  worthy  to  have  death  miniftered  by  men  or  angels. 
"  or  any  other  creature,  than  thofe  fmall,  filthy  verminy 
"  lice  and  worms,  which  were  ordained  to  deftroy  his 
"  beaftly,  tyrannous  body.  Pharaoh  and  Nebuchadnez- 
li  zar,  with  all  their  pride  and  might,  mult  at  lengthier 
**  God's  favourite  people  go  freely  out  of  their  land, 
a   from  their  bands   and  cruelty:  For  when  they  could 

*  obtain  nothing  but  counterfeit  mercies,  like  thofe  of 
*i  our  day*,  namely,  extreme  cruelties  and  death,  then- 
i(  did  God  arife,  as  one  awoke  out  of  deep,  and  deiiroyed 
"  thofe  enemies  of  his  flock  with  a  mighty  hand,  and 
"  itretched-out  arm.  When  Pharaoh  grievouuy  oppref- 
i<  fed  the  poor  Ifraelites  with  intolerable  labours  and  heavy 

*  burdens,  his  courtiers  noifed  abroad  his  tender  mercies 
i(  towards  them,  in  fullering  them  to  live  in  the  land, 
li  and  in  fetting  them  to  work,  that  they  might  get  their 
ie  livings;  for,  if  he  ihould  thruft  them  out  of  his  land, 
u  they  muft  be  no  better  than  vagabonds  and  runagates. 
"  Have  we  not  the  like  examples  now-a-days  ?  O  that 
"  I  had  now  time  to  write  certain  things  pertaining  to 
"  the  biihop  of  Winchefter's  mercy  !  I  have  not  time  to' 
u  fpeak  how  merciful  he  hath  been  to  me  and  to  my  good 
u  brethren,  and  to  the  duke  of  Suffolk's  molt  innocent 
"  daughter,  and  her  innocent  hulband  :  O  that  I  had 
"  time  to  paint  it  in  it's  proper  colours!  but  there  are 

*  Alluding  to  their  frequent  expreffions  of  great  forrow  and  con- 
cern for  him  in  the  courfeofhis  examination,  and  in  the  fentence 
pronounced  aoainlt  him. 

"  many 


256  R    O     G    E     R    S. 


*( 


many  that  can  do  it  better  than  I,  who  mall  live  when 
"  I  am  dead.  Pharaoh  had  his  plagues ;  and  his  once 
u  molt  flouriihing  land  utterly  deftroyed,  on  account  of 
i%  hypocrify  and  counterfeit  mercy,  which  was  no  other 
"  than  cruelty  and  abominable  tyranny!  And  think  ye, 
"  that  the  bloody,  butcherly,  bilhop  of  Winchefter  and 
(<  his  bloody  brethren,  ihall  efcape  ?  Or  that  England, 
"  for  their  offences,-*  and  efpecially  for  the  maintenance 
"'■'  of  their  idolatry,  and  wilful  following  of  them  in  it, 
11  ihall  not  abide  as  great  brunts  ?  yes,  undoubtedly. 

"  If  God  look  not  mercifully  upon  England,  the  feeds 
i(  of  utter  deilruclion  are  already  fown  in  it  by  thefe 
"  hypocritical  tyrants,  and  amichriitian  prelates,  papifts, 
"  and  double  traitors  to  their  country  :  And  yet  they 
"  fpeak  of  mercy,  of  bleiling,  of  the  catholic  church,. 
"  of  unity,  of  power,  and  of  ftrengthening  the  re  aim - 
"  This  double  difllmulation  will  appear  in  the  day  of  the 
'*  Lord's  viiitation,  when  thofe  crown-fhorn  captains,. 
l(  who  have  fliewn  no  mercy  to  the  poor  godly  fufferers 
"  of  this  realm,  fhall  have  judgment  without  mercy. 
\l  In  the  courie  of  Mr.  Rogers's  firii  day's  examination, 
Gardiner,  bilhop  of  Winchefter,  alked  him  ;  <  What  fay- 
1  eft  thou  ?  Make  us  a  di'rett  anfwer,  whether  thou  wilt 
'  be  one  of  this  catholic  church  or  not,  with  us,  in  the. 
<  {fate  in  which  we  are  now?'  To  which  Mr-  Rogers 
amwered,  <(  My  Lord,  I  cannot  believe,  that  ye  your- 
"  felves  do  think  in  your  hearts  that  he  [the  pope]  is 
«  fupreme  head  in  forgiving  of  fin,  &c  as  ye  have  now 
*c  C M,  feeing  you  and  all  the  bifhops  of  the  realm  have 
"  now  for  twenty  years  long  preached,  and  fame  of  you 
"  alfo  written,  to  the  contrary  ;  and  the  parliament  hath 
"  folong  ago  condefcended  unto  it." 

Mr.  Rogers,  being  fentenced  to  be  burned,  and  re- 
manded back  to  prifon,  was  on  Monday  morning,  the 
fourth  day  of  February,  1555,  awakened  out  of  a  very 
found  fteep,  with  great   difficulty^  by  the  keeper's    wife, 

who 


ROGERS.  257 

who  fuddenty  warned  him  to  make  hafte  and  prepare  him- 
.  felf  for  the  lire.  "  If  it  be  fo,  faid  he,  I  need  not  tie 
'-  my  points. "—He  was  then  had  down  tobiihop  Bonner, 
who  degraded  him  ;  of^yhom  (he  laid)  he  had  one  favour 
to.alk.  Bonner  aiked  what  that  (hould  be  :  --  Nothing, 
■'  aniwered  Mr.  Rogers,  but  that  I  may  fpeak  a  few 
"  words  to  my  wife  before  my  burning."  i  his  requefl 
not  being  granted ;  he  added,  "  You  declare  your  cha- 
*-  rity,  what  it  is."  The  time  being  come,  he  was 
brought  out  of  Newgate,  and  delivered  up  to  the  fheriffs 
of  London   to  be  taken  to  Smithfteld  ;    one  of  whom  faid 

*  Mr.  Rogers,  will  you  revoke  your  abominable  doctrine, 

*  and  your  evil  opinion  of  the  facrament  of  the  altar?' 
Mr.  Rogers  anfwered,  *'  That,  which  I  have  preached, 
"  I  will  leal  with  my  blood."     -  Then,  (faid  the  iheriff) 

*  thou  art  an  heretic'  **  That  (hall  be  known,  (replied 
"  Mr.  Rogers,)  at  the  day  of  judgment."  '  Well,  (faid 
'  the  fheriff,)  I  will  never  pray  for  thee.?  "  But  I  will 
u  pray  for  you,"  faid  Mr.  Rogers ;  and  fo  then  proceeded 
towards  Smithiieid  ;  Mi*.  Rogers  faying  the  51H:  Pfalm, 
and  the  people  exceedingly  rejoicing  and  giving  thanks  to 
God  for  his  conftancy.  riis  wife  and  ten  children  by 
her  fide,  with  one  at  her  breaft,  met  him  by  the  way, 
being  the  only  opportunity  they  had  even  of  feeing  one 
another  any  more  in  the  fiefh;  but  neither  did  this  very 
affecting  fcene  feem  in  the  leaft  to  iliake  his  confidence; 
fo  gracioufly  was  he  fupported,  in  the  trying  hour,  by 
Kim,  who  hath  promifed,  1 wiU  never,  never,  leave  thee  ; 
never,  never,  forjake  thee*  When  he  came  to  the  flake, 
he  ihewed  great  conflancy  and  patience  •  but,  not  being 
lufFered  to  fpeak  many  words,  he  briefly  exhorted  the 
people  fteadily  to  remain  in  that  faith  and  true  doc- 
trine, which  he  had  before  taught  them,  and  for  the 
confirmation  of  which  he  was  not  only  content  patiently 
to  fuller  all  fuch  bitternefs  and  cruelty,  as  had  been  al- 
ready ihewn  him,  fc>ut  alio  moil  gladely  to  rehgn  up  his 

Y  2  life, 


256  ROGERS. 

life,  and  to  give  his  fiefh  to  the  confirming  fire,  for  a 
teftimony  of  the  fame.  They  then  again  brought  him  a, 
pardon,  upon  condition  that  he  would  recant ;  but  he, 
with  the  magnanimity  of  a  true  martyr,  refufed  it  ;  not 
preferring  life  upon  fuch  terms  to  the  cruel  death  of 
burning ;  which  he  fuffered  with  the  greater!  patience 
and  fortitude  ;  waihing  as  it  were  his  hands  in  the  flames, 
and  ejaculating  with  his  laft  breath;  "  Lord,  receive  mv 
«  fpirit  !" 

It  is  remarked  of  Mr.  Roger?,  that,  during  the  year 
and  a  half  that  he  was  imprifoned,  he  was  always  chear- 
ful,  but  very  earneft  and  intent  upon  every  thing  he  did. 
He  wrote  much  ;  efpecially  his  examinations,  which  were 
wonderfully  preferved  :  For  they  frequently  made  diligent 
fearch  for  his  writings  ;  and  it  is  fuppofed,  that  they 
refufed  his  wife  vifiting  him,  left  me  fhould  convey  them 
away.  And  when  he  was  taken  out  of  Newgate  and  led 
to  Smithfield,  they  again  fearched  his  room,  but  found 
nothing.  They,  therefore,  readily  admitted  his  wife  and 
fon  Daniel  into  his  apartment,  upon  their  return  from 
Smithfield,  who  looked  into  every  corner,  as  they  thought,, 
and  were  coming  away,  fuppofing  others  had  been  before 
hand  with  them,  when  Daniel  fpied  fomething  black  in 
a  dark  corner  under  a  pair  of  flairs,  which  proved  to  be 
his  examinations  and  writings,  to  which  the  reader  has 
been  already  referred  in  Fox's  martyrology,  where  they 
are  inferted  at  large.  He  was  charitable  to  the  poor  pri- 
foners,  agreeing  with  Mr.  Hooper  and  others,  to  take  but 
one  meal  a  day,  and  to  give  the  reft  to  thofe  on  the  other 
tide  of  the  prifon  that  were  ready  to  die  for  hunger  ;  but 
the  cruel  keeper  withheld  it  from  them.  The  Sunday 
before  he  fuftered,  he  drank  to  Mr.  Hooper,  being  then 
underneath  him,  and  defired  them  to  commend  him  unto 
him,  and  to  tell  him,  "  There  was  never  a  little  fellow 
"  would  better  ftick  to  a  man,  than  he  would  ftick  to 
"  him  j"  fuppoting,   contrary  to   what  happened,    that 

\  they 


R    Q     G     £    R     S.  259 

they  fliould  have  been  both  burned  together — Thus  died, 
triumphant  in  the  faith,  this  blefled  proto-martyr,  and 
proved  the  reality  of  the  ailtient  observation,  i  that  the 
'  blond  of  the  martyrs  is  the  feed  of  the  church  ;'  for, 
initead  ot  being  intimidated,  multitudes  were  encouraged 
by  his  example,  and  thofe,  who  had  no  religion  before, 
were  put  upon  inquiries  ;  IVhat  -was  the  c<au',1\  for  v. 
fucb  pious  and  learned  men  were  contented  to  die  ;  and  (b, 
from  being  athiefts  or  papifts,  they  were  led,  by  God's 
bleiling,  to  a  knowledge  aad  profeifionof  that  goipel,  the 
darkening  of  which  was  the  main  end  and  delign  of  all 
this  bloody  perfecution. 


THOMAS  CRANMER,  D.  D. 

The  firft  Protestant  Archbishop  of  Canterbury. 


THIS  great  and  good  mac  was  born-  at  Aflacton,  in 
Nottinghamshire,  July  2,  1498.  His  father  (lied, 
when  he  was  very  young:  And  his  mother,  when  he  was 
fourteen  years  old,  fent  him  to  Cambridge.  He  was 
elected  fellow  of  Jefus-College  5  where  be   was   (o  well 

beloved, 


26o*  C    R    A    N    M    E    R* 

beloved,  that  when  his  fellowship  was  vacant  by  mar- 
riage,  yet  his  wife  dying  about  a  year,  after,  the  mailer 
and  fellows  chofe  him  again. 

In  the  year  1523,  he  commenced  doctor  of  divinity, 
being  therein  the  thirty-fourth  year  of, his  age ;  and  being 
in  great  eileem  for  theological  learning,  he  was  chofen 
reader  of  the  divinity-lecture  in  hi|  own  college,  and 
appointed  by  the  univerfity  to  be  one  of  the  examiners  of 
thofe,  who  took  their  degrees  in  divinity.  Thefe  candi- 
dates he  examined  chiefly  out  of  the  fcriptures  ;  and  rind- 
ing many  of  them  groily  ignorant  thereof,  having  thrown 
away  their  time  on  the  dark  perplexities  and  ufeleis  quef- 
tions  of  the  fchoolmen,  he  rejected  them  as  infumcient; 
adviimg  them  to  apply  themfelves  clolely  to  the  ftudy  of 
the  holy  fcriptures,  before  they  came  for  their  degrees  ; 
it  being  fhameful  for  a  profefibr  of  divinity  to  be  unikilled 
in  that  bock,  wherein  the  knowledge  of  God,  and  the 
grounds  of  divinity  lay.  And  though  feme  hated  him 
for  tliis,  yet  the  more  ingenuous  publicly  returned  him 
thanks,  for  having  been  the  means  of  their  great  improve- 
ment in  the  found  know  ledge  of  religion. 
prDuring  his  refideuce  at  Cambridge,  the  quefilon  arofe 
concerning  king  Henry  VIIPs  divorce,  from  queen 
Catharine,  who  was  his  brother's  widow;  and  the  plague 
breaking;  out  in  the  univerfity  about  that  time,  he  retired 
to  Waltham-Abby ':  Where  cafually  meeting  with  Gar- 
diner and  Fox,  the  one  the  king's  fecretary,  the  other  his 
almoner ;  and  "difconrfmg  with  them  about  the  divorce, 
he  fuggefted  the  expedient  of  confulting  the  divines  and 
univer'ities  of  Europe  ;  which  he  thought  would  bring 
the  matter  to  a  fhort  lithe,  and  be  the  fafeft  and  fureft 
method  of  giving  the  king's  troubled  conference  a  well- 
grounded  fatisfaction.  •  This  converfation  Fox  and  Gar- 
diner related  to  the  king  ;  who  was  fo  much  pleafedwith 
it,  that  he  faid,  <  Cranmer  had  got  the  right  fow  by  th-j 
*•  ear/   and   immediately   lent  for    him-  to  court ;    and 

admiring 


C    R    A    N    M    E    Ki  261 

admiring  his  gravity,  modefty,  and  learning,  refolved  to 
cherilh  and  promote  him.  Accordingly  he  made  him  his 
chaplain,  and  gave  him  a  good  benefice  :  He  was  alfo 
nominated  by  him  to  be  archdeacon  of  Taunton.  At  the 
king's  command  he  drew  up  his  judgment  of  the  cafe 
in  writing  ;  and  fo  folidly  defended  it  in  the  public  fchool 
at  Cambridge,  that  he  brought  over  many  of  the  contrary 
part  to  his  opinion.  King  Henry  immediately  employed 
his  agents  to  colled  the  opinion  of  all  the  underlines  of 
Europe. 

In  the  year  1530,  doctor  Crammer  was  fen t  by  the  king 
to  diipute  on  this  fubject  at  Paris,  Rome,  and  in  other 
foreign  parts.  At  Rome  he  delivered  his  book  to  the 
pope,  and  offered  to  juftify  it  in  a  public  difputation  : 
The  pope  constituted  him  poenitentiary  general  of  Eng- 
land, and  diiiniiTed  him.  In  Germany,  he  gave  full  fatis- 
faction  to  many  learned  men,  who  were  before  of  a  con- 
trary perfuafion  ;  and  prevailed  on  the  famous  Oiiander, 
to  declare  the  king's  marriage  unlawful,  in  his  treatife. 
of  incefiupus  marriages,  and  "to  draw  up  a  form  of 
direction,  how  the  king's  procefs  fhould  be  managed  ; 
which  was  lent  over  to  England.  Before  he  left  Germany, 
he  was  married  to  Ofiander's  niece  ;  whom,  when  here- 
turned  from  his  embafTy,  he  did  not  take  over  with  him, 
but  fent  for  her  privately  in  1534. 

In  Auguir,  1532,  archbimop  W  arham  departed  this  life; 
and  the  king,  thinking  Dr.  Cranmerthe  moll:  proper  per- 
fon  to  fucceed  him  in  the  fee  of  Canterbury,  wrote  to  him 
to  haften  home,  concealing  the  reafon  :  But  Cranmer 
gueflmg  at  it,  and  deiirous  to  decline  the  flation,  moved 
flowly  on ;  in  hopes  that  the  fee  might  be  filled,  before 
his  arrival.  But  all  this  backwardnefs,  and  the  excufes 
which  his  great  modefty  and  humility  prompted  him  to 
make,  when  after  his  return  the  king  opened  his  reiblu- 
t?ion  to  him,  ferved  only  to  raile  the  king's  opinion  of 
his  merit  j  fo  that  at  laft  he  found   himielf  obliged  to 

fubmitt 


262  C    R    A    N    M    E    R. 

fubnut,  and  undertake  the  weighty  charge.  •  This  de- 
1  dining  of  preferment  (fays  biihop  Burnet)  being  a. 
6  thing  of  which  the  clergy  of  that  age  were  fo  little 
'  guilty^  discovered,  that  he  had  maxims  very  far  dif- 
*  iercnt  from  nioit  church- men.' 

The  pope,  notwithstanding  Cranmer  was  a  man  very 
unacceptable  to  Rome,  difpatched  eleven  bulls  to  com- 
plete his  character.  Thefe  bulls,  the  archbifhop  accord- 
ding  to  cuftom  received ;  but  immediately  furrendered 
them  to  the  king,  becaufe  he  would  not  acknowledge 
the  pope's  power  of  conferring  ecclefiaftical  dignities  in 
England,  which  he  efteemed  the  king's  fole  right. 

Ke  was  confecrated  on  March  30,  1533,  by  John  Long- 
land,  bimop  of  Lincoln,  John  Voicy,  bifhop  ofLxter,  and 
Henry  Standilb,  biihop  of  St.  Afaph  :  And  becaufe  in  the 
oath  of  fidelity  to  the  pope,  which  he  was  obliged  to  take 
before  his  confecration,  there  were  fome  things  feemingly 
in  confident  with  his  allegiance  to  the  king  ;  he  made  a 
public  proteftation,  that  he  intended  not  to  take  the  oath 
in  any  other  fenfe  than  that  which  was  reconcilable  to 
the  laws  of  God,  the  king's  juil  prerogative,  and  the 
ftatutes  of  this  kingdom  ;  fo  as  not  to  bind  himfelf  there- 
by, to  ad  contrary  to  any  of  thefe.  This  proteftation 
he  renewed,  when  he  was  to  take  another  oath  to  the  pope, 
at  his  receiving  the  pall ;  and  both  times  defired  the  pro- 
thonotary  to  make  a  public  inftrument  of  his  proteftation, 
and  the  perfons  prefent  to  fign  it. 

The  next  fervice  the  archbifhop  did  for  the  king,  was 
pronouncing  the  fentence  of  his  divorce  from  queen  Ca- 
tharine, which  was  done  May  23.  Gardiner,  biihop  of 
Winchefter,  and  the  biihops  of  London,  Bath,  and  Lincoln 
being  in  commiflion  with  him.  The  queen,'  after  three 
citations,  neither  appearing  in  perfon,  nor  by  proxy,  was 
declared  contumax  ;  the  depositions,  relating  to  the  con- 
fummation  of  the  marriage  with  prince  Arthur,  were 
read,   together  with    the  conclufions  of  the  provinces  of 

.Canterbury 


C     R     A    N     M    E     K.  163 

Canterbury  and  York,  and  the  opinions  of  the  rooft  noted 
canoniits  and  divines  in  favour  of  the  divorce  :  And  the 
archbiihop,  with  the  unanimous  con  lent  of  the  reit  of  the 
commifiioners, pronounced  the  marriage  between  the  king 
and  queen  Catharine  null,  and  of  no  force,  from  the  be- 
ginning ;  and  declared  them  feparated  and  divorced  from 
each  other,  and  at  liberty  to  engage  with  whom  they 
pleafed.  In  this  affa;r  the  archbiihop  proceeded,  only 
upon  what  had  been  already  concluded  by  the  univerfities, 
convocations,  &c.  and  did  no  more  than  put  their  deci- 
•fions  into  a  form  of  law.  On  the  twenty-eighth  of  May 
he  held  another  court  at  Lambeth,  in  which  he  confirmed 
the  king's  marriage  with  Anne  Boleyn. 

The  pope,  alarmed  at  thefe  proceedings,  by  a  public 
inftrument,  declared  the  divorce  null  and  void,  and 
threatened  to  excommunicate  the  archbiihop,  unlefs  he 
would  revoke  all  that  he  had  done  :  Whereupon  thearch- 
bifhop  appealed  from  the  pope  to  the  next  general  coun- 
cil, lawfully  called  ;  and  fent  the  appeal  under  his  feal 
to  Bonner,  defiring  him  and  Gardiner  to  acquaint  the 
pope  with  it,  in  iuch  a  manner,  as  they  thought  moil: 
expedient. 

When  the  fupremacy  came  under  debate,  and  the  ufur- 
ped  power  of  the  bifbop  of -Rome  was  called  in  queflion, 
the  archbifhop  anfweredall  the  arguments  brought  in  de- 
fence of  the  papal  tyranny,  with  iuch  ftrength  and  per^ 
fpicuity,  and  fo  folidly  confuted  its  advocates  from  the 
word  of  God,  and  the  univerfal  confent  of  the  primitive 
church ;  that  the  foreign  power  was,  without  fcruple, 
aboliihed  by  full  confent  in  parliament  and  convocation. 
The  deftruction  of  this  ufurped  jurifdiclion  Cranmer  had 
prayed  for  many  years,  as  himfelf  declared  in  a  fermon  at 
Canterbury ;  becaufe  it  was  the  occaHon  of  many  things 
being  done  contrary  to  the  hosour  of  God>  and  the  good 
of  the  realm  ;  and  he  perceived  no  hopes  of  amendment 
while  it  continued.     This  he  nowfaw  happily  effected. 

The 


2tf4  C     H     A     N     M     E     R. 

The  king,  wnofe  fupremacy  was  now  alnibft  as  uni- 
vcrfally  acknowledged,  as  the  pope's  had  been  before, 
locked  on  the  mohanries  with  a  jealous  eye;  theie  he 
thought  were  by  their  privileges  of  exemption  engaged  to 
the  fee  of  Rome,  and  would  prove  a  body  of  refer ve  for 
the  pope,  always  ready  to  appear  in  the  quarrel,  and  to 
fupport  his  claim.  This,  it  is  probable,  was  the  chief  mo- 
tive which  inclined  the  king  to  think  of  diiTolving  them  : 
And  Cranmer,  being  confulted  on  this  head,  approved  of 
the  refolution.  Ke  law  how  inconfiftent.  thole  founda- 
tions were  with  the  reformation  of  religion,  which  he 
then  had  in  view ;  and  propoied,  that,  out  of  the  reven- 
ues of  the.monaftries,  the  king  ihould  found  morebilhop- 
rics  ;  that  the  diocefes  being  reduced  into  lefs  compafs,  the 
bifhops  might  the  better  difcharge  their  duty  according  to 
fcripture  and  primitive  practice.  He  hoped  alfo,  that  from 
thefe  ruins  there  would  be  new  foundations  erected  in 
every  cathedral,  to  be  nurferies  of  learning,  under  the 
infpedtion  of  the  bifhop,  for  the  ufe  and  benefit  of  the 
whole  d'ocefe.  But  thtfe  noble  defigns  were  unhappily 
defeated,  by  the  (miiter  arts  of  fome  avaricious  courtiers, 
who,  without  regard  to  the  good  of  the  public,  ftudied 
only  how  facrilegioufly  to  ra^jfe  their  own  fortunes  out  of 
the  church's  fpoils. 

When  queen  Anne  Boleyn  was  fent  to  the  tower,  on  a 

fudden  jealoufy  of  the  king,   the   archbifhop  was  greatly 

concerned  for  her  misfortune,  and  did  his  utmoft  endeavor 

to  ailift  her  in  her  diifrefs.     He  wrote  a  confolatory  letter 

to  the  king,   in  which,  after  having  recommended  to  him 

an  equality  of  temper,  and  refignation  to  Providence,  he 

put  him  in  mind  of  the  great  obligations  he  had  received 

from  the  queen,  and  endeavoured  to  diipoie  the  king  to 

clemency  and  a  good  humour.  Finally,,  he  molt   humbly 

implored  him,  that,  however  unfortunate  the  iflue  of  this 

affair    might  prove,  he  would  {till  continue  his  love  to 

the   gofpel ;  left  it  fhould   be  thought;  that  it  was   for 


he; 


C     R     A    N     M    JL    R.  165 

her  fake  only,  that  he  had  favoured  it.  But  neither  this 
letter  of  the  archbiihop,  nor  another  very  moving  one 
wrote  with  her  own  hand,  made  the  lead  impreilionupon 
the  king  :  For  her  ruin  was  decreed,  and  (alter  Cranmer 
had  declared  her  marriage  with  the  king  null  and  void, 
upon  her  confeflion  of  a  pre-contract  with  the  earl  of 
Northumberland)  (he  was  tried  in  the  tower,  and  executed 
on  the  nineteenth  of  May,   1536. 

In  1537,  the  archbiihop,  with  the  joint  authority  of 
the  biihops,  let  forth  the  famous  book,  entitled,  "  The 
"  Erudition  of  a  Chriftian-man."  This  book  was  com- 
pofed  in  convocation  ;  and  drawn  up  for  a  direction  to 
the  bifliops  and  clergy.  It  contains  an  explication  of 
the  creed,  the  Lord's-prayer,  the  ave-maria,  juitification, 
and  purgatory.  This  was  a  great  ftep  towards  the  future 
reformation  ;  for  in  this  book  the  univerlal  paftorihip 
of  the  biihop  of  Rome  is  declared  to  have  no  foundation 
in  the  word  of  God  ;  the  church  of  England  is  averted 
to  be  as  truly  and  properly  a  catholic  and  apoftolic  church, 
as  that  of  Rome,  or  any  other  church  where  the  apoitles 
perfonally  refided  ;  and  all  churches  are  affirmed  to  be 
equal  in  power  and  dignity,  built  upon  the  fame  foun- 
dation, governed  by  the  lame    Spirit,  and   on   as    good 

grounds  expecting  the  fame   glorious  immortality In 

the  article  of  the  facrament  of  the  altar,  though  the  cor- 
poral preience  isailerted,  yet  it  is  only  faid,  that  the  facra- 
ment is  to  be  ufed  with  •<  all  due  reverence  and  honour," 
without  any  mention  of  the  adoration  of  the  elements. 
The  fuperftitious  notions  of  the  people  concerning  the 
ceremonies  and  injunctions  of  the  church,  in  thinking 
them  offtricter  obligation  than  moral  duties,  are  cenfured. 
In  the  expofition  of  the  fecond  commandment,  bowing 
down  to,  pr  worfhipping  of  image9,  is  exprefly  con- 
demned. The  invocation  of  faints  is  retrained  to  beg- 
ging their  interceilion  for  us ;  and  health  of  body  and 
poind;   remiflion  of  fin,  grace  and  future  happinefs,  are 


a66  C    R    A    N    M    £    R. 

faid  to  be  above  the  difpofal  of  created  beings,  and  blei- 
fings,  for  the  obtaining  which,  we  muft  apply  only  to 
God  Almighty.  The  clergy  are  forbid  to  pretend  to  tem- 
poral jurisdiction,  independent  on  the  civil  magistrate ; 
paffive  obedience  is  afferted  without  restriction  ;  and  all 
rcfjiiance,  on  what  pretence  Soever,  condemned.  The 
people  are  cautioned  againft  mistaking  the  ave-maria  for 
a  prayer,  which  is  only  an  hymn  of  praife.  Justification 
is  attribwted  to  the  merits  and  fatisfaction  of  Jefus  Chrift 
alone,  exclufive  of  the  merit  of  good  works :  And  the 
pope's  pardon,  maffes  before  any  celebrated  images,  are 
declared  unprofitable  to  deliver  fouls  out  of  the  middle 
State  of  punifhment ;  concerning  the  nature  and  degrees 
of  which  it  is  affirmed,  that  we  have  no  certainty  from 
revelation — -All  this  was  doing  fomething  towards  a  more 
perfect  reformation,  when  Providence  fhould  afford  both 
time  and  opportunity. 

ArchbiShop  Cranmer,  from  the  day  of  his  promotion  to 
the  fee  of  Canterbury,  had  continually  employed  his 
thoughts  on  getting  the  fcripturestranllatedinto  EngliSh  : 
He  had  often  folicired  his  majefty  about  it,  and,  at  length, 
obtained  a  grant  that  they  might  betranflated  and  printed. 
For  want  of  good  paper  in  England,  the  copy  wasfent  to 
Paris  ;  and  by  Bonner's  means  a  licence  was  procured  for 
printing  it  there.  As  foou  as  fome  of  the  copies  came 
to  the  archbiiliop's  hands,  he  fent  one  to  the  lord  Crom- 
well, defiring  him  to  prefent  it  in  his  name  to  the  king, 
importuning  him  to  intercede  with  his  majeily,  that  by 
his  authority  all  his  Subjects  might  have  the  liberty  of 
-ufing  it  w  ithout  conftraint  ;  which  lord  Cromwell  accord- 
ingly did,  and  the  king  readily  afTented.  Injunctions 
were  forthwith  publimed,  requiring  an  EngliSh  bible  of 
the  hrgeflfize  to  be  procured  for  the  ufe  of  svery  parifh 
church,  at  the  expence  of  the  minister  and  church- war- 
f S*«is;  and  prohibiting  all  difcouraging  the  people  from 
heading  or  hearing  the  fcriptures.     The  book  was  received 

with 


C    R    A    N    M     E    R.  26*7 

Trith  inexpreiTible  joy  ;  every  one,  that  was  able,  pur- 
chafed  the  fame ;  and  the  poor  greedily  flocked  to  hear  it 
read.  Some  perfonsin  years  learned  to  read  on  purpofe 
that  they  might  perufe  it ;  and  even  little  children  crouded 
with  eagernefs  to  hear  it. 

The  archbifhop  was  not  yet  convinced  of  the  falfenefs 
of  the  abfurd  doctrine  of  tranfubttantiation,  but  conti- 
nued a  itiff  maintained  of  the  corporal  prefence  ;  as  ap- 
pears from  his  being  unhappily  concerned  in  the  profe- 
cution  of  Lambert,  who  was  burnt,  November  the  20th, 
1538,  for  denying  tranfubllantiation. 

In  1539,  the  parliament  palled  the  bill  containing  the 
fbc  bloody  articles;  by  which  none  were  allowed  toiy. 
againit  traniubftantiation,  on  pain  of  being  burnt  as  here- 
tics, and  forfeiting  their  goods  and  chattels,  as  in  cafe  of 
treafen  :  It  was  alfo  thereby  made  felony,  and  forfeiture 
of  lands  and  goods,  to  defend  the  communion  in  both  kinds, 
or  marriage  of  the  clergy,  or  thofe  who  had  vowed  celi- 
bacy, or  to  fpeak  againft  private  mafies  and  auricular 
confeflion. 

The  archbimop  argued  boldly  in  the  houfe  againft  the 
fix  articles,  three  days  together ;  and  that  fo  ffcrenuoudy, 
that  though  the  king  was  obftinate  in  palling  the  act, 
yet  he  defired  a  copy  of  his  reafons  againit  it ;  and  fhewed 
no  refentment  towards  him  for  his  opposition  to  it.  The 
king  would  have  perfuaded  him  to  withdraw  out  of  the 
houfe,  fince  he  could  not  vote  for  the  bill;  but,  after  a 
decent  excufe,  he  told  his  majefty,  that  he  thought  him- 
felf  obliged  in  conscience,  to  flay  and  (hew  his  diflent. 
When  the  bill  parted,  he  entered  his  proteft  againft  it ; 
and  foon  after  he  fent  his  wife  away  privately  to  her- 
friends  is  Germany.  The  king,  who  loved  him  for  his 
probity  and  courage,  fent  the  dukes  of  Norfolk  and  Suf- 
folk, and  the  lord  Cromwell,  to  acquaint  him  with  the 
efteem  he  had  for  him,  and  to  affure  him  of  his  favour, 
notwithstanding  the  palling  of  the. aft. 

In 


268  C    R     A    N     M    E    R." 

In  1540,  the  king  iffued  cut  a  commiffion,  to  the  ajcli- 
biihop,  and  a  felect  number  of  biihops,  to  infpect  into 
matters  of  religion,  and  explain  fome  of  the  chief  doc- 
trines of  it.  The  bifhops  drew  up  a  fet  of  articles  favor- 
ing the  old  popifh  fuperftitions  ;  and,  meeting  at  Lambeth, 
vehemently  urged  the  archbiihop,  that  they  might  be 
eftabhfhed,  it  being  the  king's  will  and  pleafure.  But, 
neither  by  fear  nor  flattery,  could  they  prevail  upon  him 
to  confent  to  it :  no,  though  his  friend  the  lord  Cromwell 
lay  then  in  the  1  ower,  and  himfelf  was  fuppofed  to  lofe 
ground  daily  more  and  more  in  the  king's  affections.  He 
went  himfelf  to  the  king,  and  expostulated  with  him,  and 
fo  wrought  upon  him,  that  he  joined  with  the  archbiihop 
againft  the  reft  of  the  commiflioners  ;  and  the  book  of 
articles  was  drawn  and  pafied  according  to  Cranmer's 
judgment. 

In  this  year  the  largeft  volume  of  the  Englifn  bible  was 
published,  with  an  excellent  preface  of  the  archbifliop's 
prefixed  to  it ;  and  the  king  required  all  parifhes  topro- 
\ide  one  of  them  by  the  next  Afl-kalh'wtide,  under  the 
penalty  of  forty  millings  a  month,  till  they  had  got  one. 
The  people  were  alfo  charged  not  to  difpute  about  it,  nor 
to  difturb  divine  fervice  by  reading  it  during  the  mats ; 
but  to  read  it  humbly  and  reverently  for  their  inftruction. 
Six  of  thefe  were  let  up  in  feveral  parts  of  St.  Paul's  ;  but 
Bonner,  afraid  of  the  effect,  poftedup  near  them  an  admo- 
nition, '  that  none  mould  read  them  with  vain  glory  and 
6  corrupt  affections,  or  draw  multitudes  about  them  when 
'  they  read  them.'  -  But  fuch  was  the  eager  defire  of  the 
people  after  this  n&w-old  treafure  (if  I  might  fo  fpeak) 
that  great  numbers  gathered  about  thofe  who  read :  and 
fuch  as  had  good  voices  ufed  to  read  them  aloud,  in  fuc- 
cefnon,  almoft  all  day  long.  Many  lent  their  children  to 
fchool,  and  when  they  had  learned  to  read,  they  carried 
them  to  church  to  read  the  bible.  In  fliort,  the  eyes  of 
the   people  being  opened,   they    began  boldly   to  fpeak 

a  gain  ft 


C     R     A    N    M    E    R.  269 

againft  thole  defines  of  the  church  of  Rome,  which 
either  contradicted  or  could  not  be  found  in  the  bible  ; 
inlbmuch  that  Bonner  letup  a  new  advertffemeut,  threat- 
ening to  take  away  the  bibles,  if  this  ufe  were  made  of 
them.  And  upon  the  complaints  he  and  his  brethren 
prefentcd  upon  this  fubjecl,  the  free  ufe  of  the  fcripturea 
was  afterwards  much  retrained. 

After  the  fall  of  the  lord  Cromwell,  archbiihop  Cran- 
mer,  obferving  the  reftlels  fpirit  of  his  adversaries,  and 
how  they  lay  upon  the  watch  for  an  opportunity  to  bring 
him  into  trouble ;  thought  it  prudent  to  retire  for  a  fea- 
fon,  and  to  live  in  as  great  privacy  as  the  duties  of  his 
Ration  would  permit  him.  Notw ithitanding  which,  his 
implacable  enemy,  bii'hop  Gardiner,  was  daily  contriving 
his  ruin  ;  and  he  haying  procured  one  Sir  John  Gofrwicke 
to  ace  ufe  the  archbiihop  in  parliament,  of  encouraging 
novel  opinions,  and  making  his  family  a  r.urfery  of  hereiy 
and  iedition  ;  divers  lords  of  the  privy  council  moved  the 
king  to  commit  the  archbiihop  to  the  Tower,  till  enquiry 
ihould  be  made  into  the  truth  of  this  charge. 

At  length  his  maieftv  refmned  fo  far  to  their  folicita- 
tions,  as  to  confent,  that  if  the  archbiihop  could  fairly  be 
proved  guilty  of  any  one  crime  againit  either  church  or 
itate,  he  Ihould  be  fent  to  prifon  :  In  this  the  king  acted 
the  politician,  intending,  by  thus  feemingly  giving  counte- 
nance to  the  profecution,  to  difcover  who  wereCranmer's 
chief  aclverfaries,  and  what  was  the  length  of  their  c'efign 
againPc  him.  At  midnight  he  fent  a  gentleman  of  his 
pjrivy -chamber  to  Lambeth,  to  fetch  the  archbiihop;  and, 
n  he  was  come,  told  him,  how  he  had  been  daily  im- 
portuned to  commit  him  to  prifon,  as  a  favorer  of  herefy  5 
and  how  far  he  had  complied.  The  arcbbifliop  thanked 
his  majejly  £br  this  timely  notice,  and  declared  'himfelt 
willing  to  go  to  prifon,  and  irand  a  trial  ;  for  being  con* 
fcious  that  he  was  not  guilty  of  any  olTence,  he  thong1*1*.. 
Z  2  that" 


W  C    R    A    N    M    E    R. 

that  the  beft  way  to  clear  his  innocence,  and  remove  all 
unreafonable  and  groundlefs  fufpicions. 

The  king,  admiring  his  fimplicity,  told  him,  he  was  in 
the  wrong  to  rely  fo  much  on  his  innocence  ;  for  if  he 
were  once  under  a  cloud,  and  hurried  to  prifon,  there 
would  be  villains  enough  to  fwear  any  thing  againft  him  ; 
but  while  he  was  at  liberty,  and  his  character  entire,  it 
would  not  be  fo  eafy  to  fuborn  witnefles  againft  him. 
'  And  therefore,  continued  he,  fince  your  own  unguarded 
<  fimplicity   makes  you  lefs  cautious  than    you  ought  to 

*  be,  I  will  fuggeft  to  you  the  means  of  your  preferva- 
€  tion.     To-morrow    you  will    be  lent  for  to  the  privy* 

*  council,  and  ordered  to  prifon  ;  upon  this  you  are  to 
J  requeft,  that  fince  you  have  the  honour  to  be  one  of  the 
4  board,  you  may  be  admitted  unto  the  council,  and  the 

*  informers  againft  you  brought  face  to  face  ;  and  then, 

*  if  you  cannot  clear  yourfelf,  you  are   willing  to  go  to 

*  prifon :  If  this  reafonable  requeft  is  denied  you,  appeal 

*  to    me,  and   give  them   this  fign,    that   you  have   my 

*  authority  for  fo  doing.'  Then  the  king  took  a  ring  of 
great  value  off  his  finger,  gave  it  to  the  archbiihop,  and 
difmifledhim. 

The  next  morning,  the  archbifhop  was  fummoned  to 
the  privy  -council  ;  and,  when  he  came  there,  was  denied 
admittance  into  the  council-chamber.  When  Dr.  Butts, 
one  of  the  king's  phyficians,  heard  of  this,  he  came  to  the 
archbiihop,  who  was  waiting  in  the  lo£>by  amongft  the 
footmen,  to  mew  his  refpect,  and  to  protect  him  from 
infults.  The  king  foon  after  fending  for  the  doctor,  he 
acquainted  his  maje%  with  the  fharaeful  indignity  put 
upon  the  archbiihop.  The  king,  incenfed,  that  the 
Primate  of  all  England  mould  be  ufed  in  {o  con- 
tumelious a  manner,  immediately  lent  to  command  them 
to  admit  the  archbiihop  into  the  council-chamber.  At 
his  entrance  he  was  faluted  with  an  heavy  accufation,  of 
having  infected  the  whole  realm  with  herefy  ;  and  com- 
manded 


C     II     A.N     M    E    R,  271 

manned  to  the  Tower,  till  the  whole  of  this  charge  was 
thoroughly  examined.  The  archbiiliop  defired  to  fee  the 
informer-  againft  him,  and  to  have  the  liberty  of  defend- 
ing himfelf  before  the  council,  and  not  to  be  lent  to  pri- 
fon  on  bare"  fufpicion-  But  when  this  was  abfolutcly 
denied  him,  and  finding  that  neither  arguments  nor  in- 
treaties  would  prevail,  he  appealed  to  the  king  ;  and 
producing  the  ring  he  had  given  him,  put  a  wop  to  their 
proceedings.  When  they  came  before  the  king,  he  feverely 
reprimanded  them,  expatiated  on  his  obligations  to  Cran- 
mer  for  his  fidelity  and  integrity,  and  charged  them,  if 
they  had  any  affection  for  him,  to  exprefs  it,  by  their  love 
and  kindnefs  to  the  archbiiliop.  Cranmer,  having  efcan- 
Cu  the  fnare,  never  mewed  the  lean:  refentment  for  the 
injuries  done  him;  and,  from  this  time  forward,  had  vo 
great  a  ihare  in  the  king's  favour,  that  nothing  rhrtber 
was  attempted  again-it  him. 

The  archhiihop's  vicar- general  and  regiter,  being 
found  negligent  and  dilatory,  the  king  Cent  doctor  Lee 
privarely  to  Canterbury,  to  examine  into  this  conspiracy 
againft  the  archbimop,  and  make  his  report  of  what  he 
could  difcover.  On  a  ftrict  enquiry,  he  found  letters 
from  bifliop  Gardiner's  fecretary,  by  which  it  appeared, 
that  that  prelate  had  been  the  principal  promoter  of  this 
profecution  againft  Cranmer.  When  thebiihopof  Win- 
chefter  perceived,  that  his  defigns  againft  the  archbiiliop 
were  detected,  fearing  the  confequence,  he  wrote  him  a 
very  penitent  letter,  in  which  he  acknowledged  himfelf 
to  have  been  guilty  of  great  folly  in  giving  credit  to  thofe 
ftanderous  reports,  which  were  railed  againit  the  arch- 
biiliop, as  if  he  had  been  a  favourer  of  herely  and  faife 
doctrines;  declaring,  that  he  was  now  entirely  fatis6ed, 
that  thefe  accufat  ons  were  wholly  falfe  and  groundlefs  ; 
alking  pardon  in  moft  fubmiffive  and  affectionate  terms, 
for  his  great  raihnefs  and  undutifulnefs,  and  prorn:fmg 
all  future  obedience  and  fidelity   to  the  archbiiliop,  whom 

he 
/ 


272  C     R*    A    N'    M    E'    R. 


on 


he  fliled  his  good  and  gentle  father.  On  the-  reception 
of  this  letter,  the  archbifhop,  laying  aiide  all  refentment 
againft  him,  refolved  to  forget  what  was  pad;  and  faid, 
fifcce  Gardiner  called  him  father,  he  would  prove  a  father 
to  him  indeed.:  And  when  the  king  would  have  laid  the 
biihop  of  Winchester's  letter  before  the  houfe  of  lords, 
Cranmer.  prevailed  with  him,  not  to  give  the  biihop  any- 
trouble  about  it,  but  to  let  the  matter  drop. 

The  iaKie  lenity  he  ihewed  towards  doctor  Thornton, 
the  fn-fragan  of  Dover,  and  doctor  Barbar  ;  who  though 
entertained  in  his  family,  and  entrutted  with  his  fecrets, 
and  indebted  to  him  for  many  favours,  had  ungratefully 
confpired,  with  Gardiner, -to  take  away  his  life-  When 
he  nrft  discovered  their  treachery,  he  took  them  afide 
into  his  ftudy,  and  telling  them  that  he  had  been  bafely 
and  falfiy  abufed  by  fome,  in  whom  he  had  always  repoi- 
ed  the  greater!-  confidence,  dcfired  them  to  ad  vile  him, 
how  he  ihould  behave  himiclf  towards  them.  They,  not. 
i'nfpecting  to  he  concerned  in  the  queftion,  replied,  that 
inch  vile  abandoned  villains  ought  to  be  proferuted  with 
the  utmoft  rigor :  nay,  deferved  to  die  without  mercy. 
At  this  the  archbifhop,  lifting  up  his  hands  to  heaven, 
cried  out,  "  Merciful  God,  whom  may  a  man  trull!"  and 
then  pulling  out  of  his  boibm  the  letters,  by  which  he  had 
difcovered  their  treachery,  aiked  them  if  they  knew  thofe 
papers-  When  they  law  their  own  letters  produced  againft 
them,  they  were  in  the  utmoft  confufion,  and,  falling 
down  on  their  knees,  humbly  fued  for  forgivenefs.  1  he 
archbifhop  told  them,  that  he  forgave  them,  and  would 
pra\>  for  them  ;  but  that  they  rnuft  not  expect  him  ever 
to  truft  them  for  the  future. 

Thus  much  may   fuffice    concerning  the  clemency  and 
charitable  forgiving  temper  of  the  archbifhop.      He  was 
much  blamed  by  many  for  his  too  great  lenity ;  whi 
was  thought,  encouraged  the  popiih  faction  to  make  frefh 
attempts  againft  him. 

And 


C     R     A    N     M    E     R.  273 

And  new  thearchbifhop,  finding  the  juh&ure  fomewhat 
favourable,  argued  againit  the  fangninary  aft  of  the  fix. 
articles,  in  the  parliament  houfe,  and  pre  (Ted  for  a  mitiga- 
tion of  its  feveritv  ;  and  made  fuch  an  imprefiion  on  the 
king,  and  the  temporal  lords,  by  his  flrong  and  perfua- 
iive  reaicning,  that  they  agreed  to  moderate  the  rigour 
of  the  fhitute. 

Soon  after,  the  king  prepared  for  an  expedition  agahril 
France,  and  ordering  a  litany  to  be  faid  for  a  bleilingon 
his  arms,  the  archbilbop  prevailed  with  him  to  let  it  be  let; 
forth  in  Englilh  ;  the  fervice  in  an  unknown  tongue  mak- 
ing the  people  negligent  in  coining  to  church.  This,  with 
the  prohibition  of  ibme  fuperftitious  and  unwarrantable 
cuftoms,  touching  vigils  and  the  worflrip  of  the  crofs,was 
all  the  nron-refs  the  reformation  made,  during;  the  reign 
of  king  Henry :  For  the  intended  reformation  of  the 
canon  law,  was,  by  the  craft  of  bifhop  Gardiner,  fuppref- 
fed  for  reafons  of  date  ;  and  the  king,  towards  the  latter 
end  of  his  life,  feemed  to  have  a  ftrong  bias  towards  the 
popifh  fuperftitions,  and  to  frown  on  all  attempts  for  a 
reformation. 

On  the  28th  cf  January,  1546,  king  Henry  departed 
this  life  ;  and  was  fucceededby  his  fon  Edward,  who  was 
godfon  to  the  archbiihop,  and  had  been  inftructedby  men 
who  favoured  the  reformation.  Archbifhop  Cranmer  was 
one  of  thole,  whom  the  late  king  had  nominated  for  his 
executors,  and  who  were  to  take  the  adminiitration  of 
the  government  into  their  hands,  till  king  Edward  was 
eighteen  years  old. 

The  late  king,  who  died  in  the  Roman  communion, 
(though  his  imperfections  are  fo  freely  charged  on  the 
reformation  by  the  papifts)  had,  in  his  will,  left  fix 
hundred  pounds  per  annum,  formaffes  for  his  foul,  with 
provilion  for  four  foleuin  obits  every  year  ;  but,  by  the 
^influence  of  the  archbifiiop,  this,  fuperftitious  part    of  his 

will 


274  C    R    A    N    M    E    R. 

will,   notwithftanding  his  ftritt  and  folemn  charge  for  its 
execution,  was  neglected. 

On  the  20th  of  February,  the  coronation  of  king  In- 
ward was  folemnized  at  Weftminfler  Abbey.  The  cere- 
mony was  performed  by  archbifhop  Cranmer,  who  made 
an  excellent "fpeech  to  the  king;  in  which,  after  a  cenfure 
of  the  papal  encroachments  on  princes,  and  a  declaration, 
that  the  ibJemn  ceremonies  of  a  coronation  add  nothing  to 
the  authority  of 'a  prince,  whole  power  is  derived  imme- 
diately from  God;  he  goes  on  to  inform  the  king  of  his 
duty,  exhorts  him  to  follow  the  precedent  of  good  jofias, 
to  regulate  the  worlhip  of  God,  to  fupprefs  idolatry,  re- 
ward virtue,  execute  juftice,  relieve  the  poor,  reprefs 
violence,    and  puniih  the  evil  doer. 

This  fpeech  had  fo  good  an  efFeft  on  the  young  king, 
that  a  royal  vifitation  was  refolved  on,  to  rectify  the  dif- 
orders  of  the  church,  and  reform  religion.  The  viiitors 
had  fix  circuits  aingned  them  ;  and  every  divifion  had  a 
preacher,  whole  bufmefsit  was  to  bring  off  the  people 
from  fuperftition,  and  difpofe  them  for  the  intended  alte- 
rations. And  to  make  the  impreflions  of  their  doctrine 
more  lafcing,  the  archbifhop  thought  it  highly  expedient 
to  have  ibme  homilies  compofed  ;  which  mould,  in  a  plain 
method,  teach  the  grounds  and  foundation  of  true  reli- 
gion, and  corre&  the  prevailing  errors  and  fuperftitions. 
On  this  head  he  confulted  the  bifhop  of  Winchefter,  and 
defired  his  concurrence ;  but  to  no  purpofe  :  For  Gardi- 
ner, forgetting  his  large  profefTions  of  all  future  obedience 
to  t'.ie  archbifhop,  was  returned  with  the  dog  to  his  vomit, 
und  wrote  to  the  protector,  to  put  a  Hop  to  the  refor- 
mation in  its  birth.  "When  Cranmer  perceived  that  Gar- 
diner was  obftinate,  he  went  on  without  him,  and  fet 
forth  the  firft  book  of  homilies,  in  which  himfelf  had  the 
chief  hand-  Soon  after,  Erafmus's  paraphrafe  on  the 
New  Teftament  was  translated,  and  placed  in  every  church 
for  the  initruclion  of  the  people. 

On 


C    R    A    N    M    E    R.  275 

On  November  5,  1547,  a  convocation  was  held  at  St. 
Paul's,  which  the  archbifhop  opened  with  a  fpeech  ;  in 
which  he  put  the  clergy  in  mind  of  applying  them  (elves 
to  the  ftudy  of  the  holy  fcriptures,  and  proceeding  accord, 
ingto  that  rule,  in  the  throwing  oil  the  corrupt  innova- 
tions of  popery.  But  the  terror  of  the  fix  articles  being 
a  check  on  the  majority,  the\  ac  painted  the  archbiihop 
with  their  fears  ;  who,  reporting  it  to  the  council,  pre- 
vailed to  have  that  act  repealed-  In  tins  convocation, 
the  communion  was  ordered  to  be  administered  in  both 
kinds,  and  the  lawfulnefs  of  the  marriage  of  the  clergy 
affirmed  by  a  great  majority. 

In  the  latter  end  of  January,  the  archbiihop  wrote  to 
Bonner,  to  forbid,  throughout  his  diocefe,  the  ridiculous 
proceflions,  which  were  ufual  in  the  popiih  times,  on 
Candlemas-Day,  Aih-W  ednefday  and  Palm- Sunday  ;  and 
to  caufe  notice  thereof  to  be  given  to  the  other  neighbor- 
ing bifhops  that  they  might  do  the  fame.  He  was  al fa 
one  of  the  committee  appointed  to  infpecl  the  offices  of 
the  church,  and  to  reform  them  according  to  fcroture 
and  the  pureft  antiquity  :  And  by  them  a  new  office  for 
the  holy  communion  was  drawn  up,  and  fet  forth  by 
authority. 

This  year  was  alfo  published  the  archbifhop's  catechifm, 
entitled,  "  A  fhort  iniiructiou  in  Chriitian  religion,  for 
**  the  lingular  profit  of  children  and  young  people,"  and 
a  Latin  treatife  of  his,  againft  unwritten  verities.  From 
this  catechifm,  it  is  plain,  that  he  had  now  recovered 
himfelf  from  thofe  extravagant  novions  of  the  regal  fuore- 
macy,  which  he  had  once  run  into  ;  for  here  he  ftrenu- 
oufly  aiTerts  the  divine  com  million  of  biihops  and  prieils, 
inlarges  on  the  efficacy  of  their  abiblution  and  fpiritual  cen- 
fures,  and  earneiHy  wiihes  for  the  reftoringthe  primitive 
penitentiary  discipline. 

In  1550,  the  archbifhop  publifhed  his  iC  Defence  cf 
u  fhe  true  and  catholic  doctrine  of  the  facrament  of  the 

"  body 


a76  C    II    A    N    Tvl    K    M. 

4i  body  and  blood  of  our  Saviour  Chrift."  He  had  now, 
by  the  advice  and  affiftance  of  biihop  Ridley,  overcome 
thofe  ftrong  prejudices  he  had  fo  long  laboured  under,  in 
favour  -of  the  corporal  prefence  •  and  in  this  treatife,  from 
i'cripture  and  reafon,  excellently  confuted  it.  The  po- 
pifh  party  were  alarmed  at  the  publication  of  it ;  and 
loon  after  two  anfwers  to  it  were  publifhed,  the  one  writ- 
ten by  Dr.  Smith,  the  other  by  Gardiner.  The  arch- 
biihop  defended  his  book  againft  them  both  ;  and  was  al- 
lowed, by  all  impartial  readers,  vaftly  to  have  the  fupe- 
riority  in  the  argument.  The  archbiihop's  book  was 
afterwards  translated  into  Latin,  by  fir  John  Cheke,  and 
was  highly  eiteemed  by  all  learned  foreigners,  for  the 
great  knowledge  in  fcripture  and  ecclefialtical  antiquity 
therein  difcovered- 

The  next  material  occurrence  relating  to  the  archbi- 
fhop,  was  the  publication  of  the  forty-two  articles  of  reli- 
gion ;  which,  with  the  afiiftance  of  biffcop  Ridley,  he  drew 
up  for  prefer ving  and  maintaining  the  purity  ^nd  unity 
cf  the  church.  They  were  alio  revifed  by  feveral  other 
bilhops  and  learned  divines  ;  and,  after  their  corrections, 
farther  enlarged  and  improved  by  Cranmer.  Thefe  arti- 
cles were  agreed  to  in  convocation  in  1552,  and  in  1553 
were  publilhed  bv  royal  authority,  both  in  Latin  and 
Englim. 

The  archbiihop  had  formed  a  defign,  in  the  reign  of 
the  late  king  Henry,  to  review  and  purge  the  old  canon 
law  from  its  popiih  corruptions,  and  had  madefome  pro- 
grefs  in  the  work:  But  by  the  fecret  artifices  of  Gardincr 
•and  others,  that  king  was  prevailed  upon  not  to  counte- 
nance or  encourage  it.  In  this  reign  he  refumed  his  de- 
fian,  and  procured  a  commiilion  from  the  king,  for  him* 
felf,  with  other  learned  divines  and  lawyers,  diligently  to- 
examine  into  the  old  church-laws ;  and  to  compile  fuch 
a  body  of  laws  as  they  thought  moll  expedient  to  be  prac- 
ticed  in  the.  ecclefialtical  courts,  and  rnoft  conducive  to 

order 


e     R     A     N     M     E     R.  177 

order  and  good  dikipline.  The  archbifhop  profecuted 
this  noble  undertaking  with  great  vigour,  and  had  the 
principal  hand  in  it  :  But  when  a  correct,  and  complete 
draught  of  it  was  iinilhed  and  prepared  for  the  royal 
alien?,  the  unhappy  death  of  the  good  young  king  Wafted 
this  great  defign,  and  prevented  its  confirmation.  The 
book  was  pubhlhed  by  archbilhop  Parker,  in  the  year 
15  71,  entitled,  Reformatio  kgum  ecch'fiaj  tic  arum. 

Kino-  Edward  was  now  far  gone  in  a  confumption,  not 
without  fome  ftrong  fufpicions  of  being  brought  into  that 
condition  by  flowpoiion  ;  aiul,  finding  himfelf  decay  apace 
began  to  think  of  fettling  the  fucceilion.  He  had  been 
perfuaded  by  the  artilices  of  the  duke  of  Northumberland, 
to  exclude  his  fillers,  and  to  bequeath  the  crown  to  the 
lady  Jane  Grey,  who  was  married  to  Northumberland's 
fon.  This,  the  duke  pretended,  was  abfolutely  neceifary 
for  the  prefervaiion  of  the  reformed  religion,  which  would 
be  in  great  danger  from  the  fucceilion  of  the  princefs 
Mary.  The  archbifhop  did  his  utmoft  to  oppofe  this 
alteration  of  the  CuccefliOn  :  He  argued  againll  it  with 
the  king,  telling  him,  that  religion  wanted  not  to  be  de- 
fended by  fuch  unrighteous  methods;  that  it  was  one  of 
the  grofs  errors  of  the  papiib,  to  juftifythe  excluding  or 
depoling  princes  from  their  juffc*  rights,  on  account  of 
religion :  But  his  majeity,  being  over-perfuaded  by 
Northumberland's  agents,  was  not  to  be  moved  from 
his  refolution  :  The  will  was  made,  and  fubferibed  by  the 
council  and  the  judges.  The  archbilhop  was  fent  for,  lafr. 
of  all,  and  required  to  fubferibe  :  He  was,  after  many 
perfualions,  prevailed  upon  to  refign  his  own  private 
fcruples  to  their  authority,  and  at  lait,  not  without  great 
reluccancy,  he  fet  his  hand  to  it. 

On  the  fixth  of  Jnly,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1553, 
it  pleafed  Almighty  God  to  take  to  himfelf  this  pious  and 
good  prince,  king  Edward ;  and  the  archbilhop,  having 
fubferibed  to  the  king's  will,   thought  himfelf  obliged, 

A  a  by 


278  CRANMER* 

by  virtue  of  his  oath,  to  join  the  lady  Jane.  But  her 
ihort-lived  power  ibon  expired,  and  queen  Mary's  title 
was  univerfally  acknowledged,  and  fubmitted  to* 

Not  long  after  her  accellion,  a  falfe  report  was  raifed, 
that  archbilhop  Cranmer,  in  order  to  make  his  court  to 
the  queen,  had  offered  to  reitore  the  Latin  fervice,  and 
that  he  had  already  faid  mafs  in  his  cathedral  church  of 
Canterbury.  To  vindicate  himfelffrom  this  vile  and  bafe 
afperiion,  the  archbilhop  pnbliiled  a  declaration,  in 
which  he  not  only  cleared  himfelf  from  that  unjuft  im- 
putation, but  offered  publicly  to  defend  die  Englifh  liturgy, 
and  prove  it  confonant  to  fcripture,  and  the  purelt  anti- 
quity ;  and  challenged  his  enemies  to  a  deputation.  This 
declaration  foon  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  council,  who 
fent  a  copy  of  it  to  the  queen's  comroifhoners  ;  and 
they  immediately  fent  for  the  archbilhop,  and  questioned 
him  about  it.  Cranmer  acknowledged  it  to  be  his ;  but 
complained  that  it  had,  contrary  to  his  intent,  ftolen 
abroad  in  fo  imperfect  a  condition  :  For  his  deilgn  was 
to  review  and  correct  it,  and  then,  after  he  had  put  his 
feal  to  it,  to  fix  it  up  at  St.  Paul's,  and  on  all  the  church- 
doors  in  London.  This  bold  and  extraordinary  anfwer 
fo  irritated  them,  that  they  fent  him,  within  a  week,  'to 
the  Tower,  there  to  be  confined,  till  the  queen's  pleafure 
concerning  him  was  known..  Some  of  his  friends,  who 
forefaw  this  ilorm,  had  advifed  him  to  confult  bis  fafety, 
by  retiring  beyond  fea  ;  but  he  thought  it  would  reflect 
a  great  dishonor  on  thecaufe  he  had  efpoufed,  if  heihould 
ileiext  his  ftatkm  at  fnch  a  time  as -this  ;  and  chofe  rather 
to  hazard  his  life,  than  give  fuchjuit  caule  of  fcandal 
?.nd  oFente.  The  fubftance  of  this  remarkable  paper  was 
as  follows \  That  be  found  the  devil  was,  more  than  or- 
dinary, bufy  in  defaming  the  fervants  of  God  j  and  that 
whereas  the  corruptions  of  the  mafs  had  been  caft  out, 
and  the  Lord'*?  Supper  was  again  fet.  up,  according  to 
its  £rft  iniiitution ;  the  devil  now,  to  promote  the  mafs, 

which 


CRANMER.  27$ 

4hich  was  his  invention,  fet  his  inftruments  on  work, 
who  gave  it  out,  that  it  was  now  laid  in  Canterbury  by 
the  archbilhop' s  order  :  Therefore  he  protefted,  that  ic 
was  falfe,  and  that  a  diflembling  monk  (meaning  Thorn- 
ton, fuifragan  biihop  of  Dover)  had  done  it  without  his 
knowledge.  He  alio  offered,  that  he  and  Peter  Martyr, 
with  four  or  five  more  whom  he  would  name,  were  ready- 
to  prove  the  errors  of  the  mafs,  and  to  defend  the  doc- 
trine and  fervice  fet  forth  by  the  late  king,  as  moil  con- 
formable to  the  word  of  God,  and  to  the  practice  of  the 
ancient  church  for  many  ages. 

In  the  middle  of  November,  archbifhop  Cranmer  was 
attainted  by  the  parliament,  (which  in  thoie  times  yielded 
to  any  thing,  and  to  every  thing)  and  adjudged  guilty  of 
high  treailm,  at  Guildhall.  His  fee  was  hereupon  declared 
void  :  Archbilhop  Cranmer  wrote  a  very  fubmiffrve  letter 
to  the  queen  ;  in  the  molt  humble  manner  acknowledging 
his  fault,  in  contenting  to  fign  the  king's  will ;  acquaint- 
ing her,  what  prelling  instances  he  made  to  the  king 
againft  it  ;  and  excufing  his  fault,  by  being  over-ruled  by 
the  authority  of  the  judges  and  lawyers,  who.  he  thought, 
underftood  the  constitution  better  than  he  did  himlelf.- 
The  queen  had  pardoned  fo  many  already,  who  had  been 
far  more  deeply  engaged  in  the  lady  Jane's  ufurpation, 
that  Cranmer  could  not  for  ihame  be  denied ;  fo  he  was 
forgiven  the  treaion  :  But,  to  gratify  Gardiner's  malice, 
and  her  own  implacable  hatred  againft  him  for  her 
mother's  divorce,  orders  were  given  to  proceed  againft 
him  for  heresy. 

The  Tower  being  full  of  prifoners,  archbilhop  Cran- 
mer, bifliop  Ridley,  Latimer,  and  Bradford,  were  all 
put  into  one  chamber  ;  for  v/hich  they  blefled  God,  and 
for  the  opportunity  of  converting  together,  reading  and 
comparing  the  fcriptures,  confirming  themfelves  in  the- 
true  faith,  and  mutually  exhorting  each  other  to  conftan- 
ey  in  profeffing  it,  and  patience  in  fuffering  for  it. 

In 


aSo  CHAN     M     E     R. 

In  April,  1544,  the  archbiihop,  with  bifhop  Ridley,  and 
bifhop  Latimer,  was  removed  from  the  Tower  to  Wind- 
for,  and  from  thence  to  Oxford^  to  difpute  with  fome  fe- 
lecl;  perfons  of  both  nniverfities.  At  the  firit  appearance 
of  the  archbifhop  in  the  public  fchools,  three  articles 
were  given  him  to  fubicribe  :  In  which  the  corporal  pre- 
sence, by  tranfubftantiation,  was  afferted,  and  the  mafs 
affirmed  to  be  a  propitiatory  facrifice,  for  the  fins  of  the 
living  and  dead.  Thefe,  he  declared  freely,  he  eHeemed 
grois  untruths  ;  and  promifed  to  give  an  anfwer  concern- 
ing them  in  writing.  Accordingly  he  drew  it  up  ;  and 
when  he  was  brought  again  to  the  fchools  to  difpute,  he 
delivered  the  writing  to  Dr.  Wefton,  the  prolocutor- 
At  eight  in  the  morning  the  difputation  began,  and  held 
till  two  in  the  afternoon  ;  all  which  time  the  archbiihop 
conftantly  maintained  the  truth,  with  great  learning  and 
courage,  againfl  a  multitude  of  clamorous  and  iniblent  op- 
ponents. And  three  days  after,  he  was  again  brought 
forth  to  oppoie  Dr.  Rarpsfield,  who  was  to  refpond  for 
his  degree  in  divinity  :  And  here  he  acquitted  himfielf  fa 
well,  clearly  fhewing  the  grofs  abfurdities,  ^nd  inextrica- 
ble difficulties  of  the  doctrire  of  tranfubftantiation,  that 
Weilon  himfelt,  as  great  a  bigot  as  he  was,  could  not  but 
difmifs  him  with  commendation. 

On  the  twentieth  of  April,  Cranmer  was  brought  to 
St.  Mary's,  before  the  queen's  commiilioners ;  and  refill- 
ing to  fubicribe,  was  pronounced  an  heretic,  and  fentence 
of  condemnation  was  read  agaimr  him  as  fuch.  Upon 
which  he  told  them  that  he  appealed  from  their  unjuft 
fentence  andjudgment,  to  the  judgment  of  the  Almighty  ; 
and  that  he  trufted  to  be  received  to  his  prefence  in  heav- 
en, for  maintaining  the  truth  of  whcie  fpiritual  prefence 
at  the  altar,  he  was  there  condemned.  After  this,  his 
fervants  were  difmiifed  from  their  attendance,  and  him- 
felf  clofely  ccniined  in  prifon. 

The 


C    R    A     N    M    E    R-  281 

The  latter  end  of  this  year  a  popilh  convocation  met  ; 
and  did  archbiihop  Cranmer  the  honour,  to  order  his  book 
of  the  facrament  to  be  burnt,  in  company  with  the  Eng- 
liih  bible  and  common-prayer-book.  Cranmer,  in  the 
mean  time,  fpent  his  melancholy  hours  in  writing  a  vin- 
dication of  his  treatife  concerning  the  eucharift,  from  the 
objections  of  Gardiner;  who  had  publilhed  a  book  agamft 
it,  under  the  feigned  name  of  Marcus  Antonius  Condan- 
•tius.  Many  learned  men  of  the  Romiih  perfuafion  came 
to  vifit  him  in  priibn,  and  endeavoured,  by  deputations 
and  conferences,  to  draw  him  over  to  their  church ; 
but  in  vain. 

In  155^,  a  new  commiifion  was  fent  from  Rome,  for 
the  trial  of  archbiihop  Cranmer  for  herely;  the  former 
fentence  againft  him  being  void  in  law,becaufe  the  authori- 
of  the  pope  was  not  then  re-edablimed.  The  commif- 
fioners  were  Dr.  Brooks,  bifnop  of  Gloucefter,  the  pope's 
delegate;  Dr. -Story,  and  Dr.  Martin,  doctors  of  the 
civil  lav/,  the  queen's  commillioners.  On  September  1?, 
they  met  at  St.  Mary's  church;  and  being  feated  at  the 
hicdi  altar,  commanded  the  archbiihop  to  be  brought  be- 
fore them.  To  the  queen's  commimoners,  as  reprefent- 
ingthe  fupreme  authority  of  the  nation,  he  paid  all  due 
reipect ;  but  abfolutely  refufed  to  (hew  any  to  the  pope's 
delegate,  left:  he  mould  feem  to  make  the  lead  acknow- 
ledgment of  his  ufurped  fupremacy.  Brooks,  in  a  long 
oration,  exhorted  him  to  coniicler  from  whence  he  was 
fallen,  advihng  him  in  the  mod  earned  and  pathetic  man- 
ner, to  return  to  his  holy  mother,  the  Roman  catholic 
church,  and,  by  the  example  of  his  repentance,  to  re- 
n  thefe  whom  his  pad  errors  had  milled. 

eh  he  hadfiniihed  his  harangue,  Dr.  Martin,  in  a 
fhort  fpeech,    began  to  open   the  trial,    acquainting  the 
ifli'op  with  the  articles  alledged  againit  him,  and  re- 
quiring his  anfwer.     The  articles  contained   a  charge  of 
perjury,  incontinence,  and  hereiy  ;  the  fird,  on  account  cf 
A  a  2  hi  J 


282  C     R     A     N     M     E     R. 

his  oppofition  to  the  papal  tyranny  ;  the  fecond,  in  refpect 
to  his  marriage;  and  the  Jaft,  on  account  of  the  refor- 
mation in  the  late  reign,  in  which  he  had  the  chief  hand. 
The  archbilhop  having  liberty  to  fpeak,  after  he  had  re- 
peated the  Lord's  prayer  and  the  creed,  began  with  a 
justification  of  his  conduct,  in  relation  to  his  renouncing 
the  pope's  fupremacy ;  the  admiflion  of  which,  he  proved 
by  many  inftances,  to  be  contrary  to  the  natural  al- 
legiance of  the  fubject,  the  fundamental  laws  of  the  realm, 
and  the  original  conftitution  of  the  Chriilian  church  : 
And  in  the  dole,  he  boldly  charged  Brooks  with  perjury, 
for  fitting  there  by  the  pope's  authority,  which  he  had 
folemnly  abjured.  Brooks  endeavoured  10  vindicate  him- 
felf,  and  retort  the  charge  on  the  archbilhop,  by  pretend- 
ing, that  he  was  feduced  by  Cranmer  to  take  that  oath  : 
But  this,  the  archbilhop  told  him,  was  a  grofs  untruth  ; 
the  pope's  fupremacy  having  received  the  laid  blow  from 
his  predeceifor,  archbilhop  Warham  ;  by  whole  advice 
king  Henry  had  fent  to  both  the  universities,  to  examine 
what  foundation  it  had  in  the  word  of  God  ;  to  which 
they  replied,  and  gave  it  under  their  leal,  that,  by  the 
word  of  God,  the  fupremacy  was  vefred  in  the  king,  not 
in  the  pope ;  and  that  Brooks  had  then  fubfcribed  this 
determination,  and  therefore  wronged  him,  in  pretend- 
ing that  he  was  feduced  by  him.  At  this  Brooks  was 
in  a  great  confufion,  and  cried,  '  We  came  to  examine 
you  ;  and,  I  think,  you  examine  us.' 

Then  Dr.  Story  began  to  rail  at  the  archbifhop,  in  an 
indecent  manner,  for  excepting  againft  the  authority  of 
his  judge ;  and  moved  biihop  Brooks,  to  require  from  him 
a  direcl  anfwer  to  the  articles,  whereof  he  flood  accufed; 
or  if  he  continued  to  deny  the  pope's  authority,  and  to  de- 
cline anfwering,  to  proceed  to  fentence  againft  him. 

After  this,  doctor  Martin  had  a  fhort  conference  with 
the  archbilhop,  about  his  conduct  in  relation  to  the  fu- 
prepacy,  and  the  doctrine  of  the  eucharift  j  and  then  they 

proceeded 


C    R     A    N     M    E    R.  233 

proceeded  to  denied  his anfwer  to  certain  interrogatories 
concerning  the  /times  laid  to  his  charge;  to  which  he 
replied  in  io  foil  and  fat'jsfa&ory  a  manner,  that  B 
thought  himfelf  obliged  to  make  another  fpeech,  to 

off  the  impreffion  his  defence  might  hive  made  upon  the 
people.  The  fpeech  was  much  unbecoming  the  gravity 
of  a  bifhop,  confifting  only  offcurrilous  and  unchriftian 
railings,  and  uncouth  and  ibphiftical  mifapnlications  of 
icripture  and  the  fathers*  After  this,  the  archbilhop  was 
cited  to  appear  at  Rome,  within  fonrfcore  days,  and  there 
to  anfwer  in  perfoo  :  To  which  he  replied,  that  he  would 
very  willingly  cortfentj  if  the  queen  would  give  him  leave 
to  go  to  Rome,  and  juflify  the  reformation  to  the  pope's 
face.  But  this  was  only  a  mock  citation  ;  for  he  Was 
kept  ail  that  time  clofe  confined,  and  yet  at  the  end  of 
fourfcore  days  was  declared  contumax,  for  wilfully  ab- 
fenting  himielf  from  Rome,  whither  he  was  legally  fum- 
nioned;  and  in  confequence  thereof  was  degraded,  as  we 
ihall  fee  hereafter. 

It  is  worth  while  to  obferve  his  lad  judgment,  con- 
cerning the  extent  of  the  regal  fupremacy,  as  contained  hi 
his  anfwer  to  Dr.  Martin.  When  that  doctor  aiked  him, 
who  was  fupreme  head  of  the  church  of  England  ?  the 
biihop  anfwered  ;  "  Chrif:  is  head  of  this  member,  as  he  is 
"  of  the  whole  body  of  the  catholic  church."  When  the 
doctor  again  demanded,  whether  he  had  not  declared  king 
Henry  head  of  the  church?  i(  Yes,  laid  the  archbi 
"  of  all  the  people  in  Engl  and  1  aswellecclcnaitical  astern-* 
"  poral."  '  What,  fays  Martin,  and  not  of  the  church?' 
"  No,  replied  the  archbilhop,  for  Chrift  only  is  head  of 
"  his  church,  and  of  the  faith  and  religion  of  the  fame." 

In  the  February  following,  1556,  a  new  commiflion 
was  given  to  bifhop  Bonner  and  bifhop  Thirlby,  for  the 
degradation  of  the  archbilhop.  When  they  came  down 
to  Oxford,  the  archbilhop  was  brought  before  them, and, 
after  they  had  read  their  commiiTion  from  the  pope,  Bon- 
ner 


234-  C     R     A     N     M     E     R. 

ner,  in  a  fcurrilous  oration,  infulted  over  him,  after  a 
moft  unchriitian  manner  ;  for  which  he  was  often  rebuk- 
ed by  biihcp  Tbiriby,  who  had  been  Cranmer's  particu- 
lar friend,  and  Ihed  many  tears  upon  the  occafion.  In  the 
commifiTion  it  was  declared,  that  the  caufe  had  been  im- 
partially heard  at  Rome,  the  witnefies  on  both  fides  were 
examined,  and  the  archbiPnop's  counfel  allowed  to  make 
the  belt  defence  for  him  that  they  could :  At  the  reading 
this,  the  archbiihop  could  not  forbear  crying  out,  i(  Good 
"  God,  what  lyes  are  thefe  !  that  I,  being  continually  in 
"  prifon,  and  not  fufFered  to  have  counfel  or  advocate  at 
<i  home,  ihonld  produce  witne'Ies,  and  appoint  my  coun- 
"  fel  at  Rome!  God  muff  needs  pnniih  this  open  and 
u  fhsmelefs  lying."  When  Bonner  had  fmifhed  his  in- 
vective agalnft  him,  they  proceeded  to  degrade  him  ;  and, ; 
that  they  might  make  him  as  ridiculous  as  they  could,  the; 
epifcopal  habit  which  they  put  on  him,  was  made  of  can- 
v:fs  and  old  clouts.  '1  hen  the  archbifhop,  pulling  out 
of  hisileeve  a  written  appeal,  delivered  it  to  them,  faying, 
that  he  was  not  foryy  to  be  cut  off,  even  with  all  this 
pageantry,  from  any  relation  to  the  church  of  Rome,  that 
the  pope  had  no  authority  over  him,  and  that  he  appeal- 
ed to  the  next  general  council.  When  they  had  degrad- 
ed him,  they  put  on  him  an  old  threadbare  beadle's  gown, 
and  a  townfman's  cap  ;  and  in  that  garb  delivered  him  over 
to  the  feeular  power-  As  they  were  leading  him  to  pri- 
fon, a  gentleman  came,  and  gave  fome  money  to  the  bai- 
liffs, for  the  archbiihop :  But  this  charitable  action  gave 
fuch  offence  to  Bonner,  that  he  ordered  the  gentleman  to 
be  feized ;  and.  had  he  not  found  great  friends  to  intercede 
for  him,  would  have  fent  him  up  to  the  council,  to  be 
tried  for  it. 

r  While  the  archbiihop  continued  in  prifon,  no  endea- 
vours were  omitted  to  win  him  over  to  the  church  of  Ro'  ie. 
Many  of  the  moft  eminent  divines  in  the  univerfuy  re- 
ported to  him  daily,  hoping,  by  arguments  and  periuafions 

to 


C     R     A     N     M    E     R-  285 

to  work  upon  him ;  but  all  in  vain,  for  he  held  faft  the 
profemon  of  his  faith,  without  wavering,  and  could  not 
be  ihaken  by  any  of  the  terrors  of  this  world,  from  his 
conftancy  in  the  truth.  Nay,  even  when  he  faw  the  bar- 
barous martyrdom  of  his  dear  companions,  bifhop  Ridley 
and  bifhop  Latimer,  he  was  fo  far  from  fhrinking,  that  he 
not  only  prayed  to  God  to  itrengthen  them,  bat  alio,  by 
their  example,  to  animate  him  to  a  patient  expectation 
and  endurance  of  the  fame  fiery  trial. 

At  laft  the  papifts  bethought  themfelvcs  of  a  ftratagem, 
which  proved  fatal  to  him  :  They  removed  him  from  pri- 
fon,  to  the  lodgings  of  the  dean  of  Ghrift- church  :  they 
treated  him  with  the  greateft  civility  and  refpect,  and  made 
him  great  promifesof  the  queen's  favour,  and  the  reftitu- 
tion  of  his  former  dignities,  with  many  other  honours  and 
preferments  accumulated,  if  he  would  recant.  And  now, 
behold  a  molt  aftonilhing  inftance  of  hum  in  frailty  !  The 
man,  who  had  with  fuch  undaunted  reiblution,  fuch  un- 
fhaken  conftancy,  and  fo  truly  primitive  a  ipirit  oi  mar- 
tyrdom, faced  the  terrors  of  death,  and  defied  the  mod 
exquiiite  tortures,  finks  under  this  laft  temptation,  falls  a 
prey  to  Mattery  and  hypoerify,  and  contents  to  recant! 

It  is  a  vulgar  error,  even  in  our  bed  hiftorians,  to  fup- 
pofe,  that  the  archbiihop  acknowledged  the  whole  of  po- 
pery at  once,  and  fubicribed  but  one  recantation.  But 
this  miftake  is  now  rectified  by  the  labour  of  the  induf- 
trious  Mr.  Strype  ;  who  has  difcovered  how  fubtilly  he 
was  drawn  in  by  the  papifts,  to  fubferibe  fix  different 
papers ;  the  firir.  beino-  exprefted  in  ambiguous  words, 
capable  of  a  favourable  conllrudion,  and  the  five  follow- 
ing pretended  to  be  only  explanations  of  the  firft.  It  is 
very  probable,  that  had  they  acquainted  Cranmer  with 
the  whole  of  their  delign  at  once,  he  could  never  have 
been  feduced  to  redeem  his  life  with  fuch  a  diihoriorable 
compliance  :  But  when  they  had,  by  their  hypoerify  and 
artiiice,  drawn  him  in  to  a  firft  and  fecond  recantation ; 

a 


1.36  C     R     A     N     M    £     R. 

ame  to  retreat  after  he  Bad  gone  fo  far,  and  unwil- 
lingnefs  to  loie  the  benefit   of  his  part  iubfcriptions,  pre- 
::h  him    to  go  on.     The  path  c'i  duty  is  the  only 
path  of  comfort  and  iafety.      Yet  we    I  ances  in 

writ,  that  tome  of  the  greatest  believers  have  been 
fo  left  to  their  own  wills,  as  to  be  funered  to  coram!:  the 
foulc  s    who  thfiiketh    he  flandeth  may- 

take  heed  leit  he  fail ;  and  to  convince   all  Cbriitians,  that 
their  perfei  erance  is  in   God's  faithfulnefs  and  itrength, 

J  for  his  execution  was  the  twe 

it  to  Oxford,  to 
prep;  before,  Cols 

rifited  :: toi  in  the  prifon,  whither  he  was  now  removed; 

bri- 
bed-     To   w]  .-  gave   a    fatisfaitory   aniwer. 
The  next  morning  Cole  viilted  h  orted  him  to 
.an  money  to  uiipoie  of  to  the  poor, 
a;  he                                               feer  he  was  brought  to  Su 
ry'schai                                             Sold,  over  againft 
.:.     Then  Dr.  Cole  began  his  fermon ;  the  chief 
fcope  whereof  was,  to    endeavour  to  give  fame  reafons 
why  i:                 edient  that  Cranmer    lhould  fuffer,  not- 
with,               his   reeat                     ..,  in  the  cloie,  he 

:  archhifhop,  exhorting 

him  to  bear  up  wi  .:  the  terrors  of  death  ; 

and,  by  the  example  of  the  thief  on  the  crofs,  encouraged 

:o  defpair,  fmce    he   was  returned,  though  later 

hd  of  the  catholic  church,  and  to  the  pre 

of  the  true   apohrolical  faith.     The  arch  hor 

till  now,   had  no:  :  notice  of  his  intended  execu- 

\s   itrack   v.  ith  horror,    at  the  baft:   inhumanity, 

unparalleled   cruelty  [not  to  be   exceeded  in  the  in- 

:m- 

::h.     During 


e    R    A    N    M     E    K.  i$7 

whole  fermon  he  wept  inceflantly  ;  fometiines  lifting  up 
his  eyes  to  heaven,  fometimes  calling  them  down  to  the 
ground,  with  marks  of  the  uttermoft  dejeclion  !  When  it 
was  ended,  being  moved  to  make  a  confellion  of  his  faith^ 
and  give  the  world  fatisfaction  of  his  dying  a  good  catho- 
lic, he  confented ;  and,  kneeling  down,  began  the  follow, 
ing  prayer. 

"  O  Father  of  heaven  ;  O  Son  of  God,  Redeemer  of 
the  world  ;  O  Holy  Ghoit,  proceeding  from  them  both  ; 
three  per  Ions,  and  one  God  ;  have  mercy  upon  me  mod 
wretched  caitiff  and  miferable  Tinner  !  I  !  who  have 
offended  both  heaven  and  earth,  and  more  grievoufly 
than  tongue  can  exprefs  !  whither  then  fhould  I  go,  or. 
where  mall  I  fly  for  fuccour  !  To  heaven  I  am  aiham- 
ed  to  lift  up  mine  eyes  ;  and  on  earth  I  find  no  refuge  ! 
What  fhalllthen   do?   Shall  I   defpair?    God  forbid i 

0  good  God,  thou  art  merciful,  and  refufeft:  none,  wha 
come  unto  Thee  for  fuccour  :  To  Thee  therefore  do 

1  run  ;  to  Thee  do  I  humble  myfelf ;  faying,  O  Lord 
my  God,  my  Cms  be  great,  but  yet  have  mercy  upon 
me  for  thy  infinite  mercy !  O  God  the  Son,  thou  waft 
not  made  man,  this  great  myftery  was  not  wrought, 
for  few  or  fmall  offences  only;  neither  didft  thou  give 
thy  Son  to  die,  O  God  the  Father,  for  our  fmall er 
crimes,  but  for  the  greateft  tins  of  the  whole  world; 
fo  that  the  (inner  return  unto  Thee  with  a  penitent 
heart,  as  I  do  now  in  this  moment  :  Wherefore  take 
pity  on  me,  O  Lord,  whofe  property  is  always  to  have 
mercy  ;  for  though  my  fins  be  great,  yet  thy  mercy  is 
greater. — I  crave  nothing,  O  Lord,  for  my  own  merits, 
but  for  thy  name's  fake,  and  that  it  may  be  glorified 
thereby,  and  for  thy  dear  Son  Jefus  Chrift's  fake  ;  in 
whofe  words  I  conclude  :  Our  Father,  &o" 
Having  finifhed  the   Lord's-praycr,  he  rofe  from  his 

knees  •  and  made  a  confeffion  of  his  faith,  beginning  with 
the  creed,  and  concluding  with  thefe  words ;  "  And  I  be- 

"  lievc 


aSS  C     R     A    N     M     E     R. 

'*  lieve  every  word  and  fentence  taught  by  our  Saviour 
4t  Jefus  Chrift,  his  apoftles  and  prophets,  in  the  Old  and 
'*  New  Tefiament.  And  now  added  he,  I  come  to  the 
4(  great  thing  that  fo  much  troublethmy  confidence,  more 
(i  than  any  thing  I  ever  did  or  faid  in- my  whole  life  ;  and 
*f  that  is,  the  fetting  abroad  a  writing  contrary  to  the 
"  truth,  which  I  here  now  renounce  as  things  written 
*'  with  my  hand  contrary  to  the  truth  which  I  thought  in 
*'  my  heart,  and  written  for  fear  of  death,  and  to  fave 
u  my  life  if  it  might  be;  that  is,  all  fuch  bills  or  papers 
"  which  I  have  written  and  figned  with  my  hand  fmce 
4t  my  degradation,  wherein  I  have  written  many  things 
4t  untrue.  And  for  as  much  as  my  hand  offended,  wric- 
4X  ing  contrary  to  my  heart,  my  hand  fhall  firft  be  pun- 
"  ifhed :  I  or,  may  I  come  to  the  fire,  it  fhall  be  firft 
<(  burned.  As  for  the  pope,  I  refufe  him  as  ChriiVs 
(i  enemy  and  antichriit,  with  all  his  falfe  doctrine :  And 
"  as  for  the  facrament,  I  believe  as  I  have  taught  in  my 
"  book  againft  the  bifhop  of  Wincheiler." — Thunder- 
ftruck,  as  it  were,  with  this  unexpected  declaration,  the 
enraged  popifh  crowd  admonifhed  him  not  to  diflemble : 
**  Ah,  replied  he  with  tears,  fmce  I  have  lived  hitherto, 
"  I  have  been  a  hater  of  falfiiood,  and  a  lover  of  fini- 
"  plicity,  and  never  before  this  time  have  I  dilTembied." 
Upon  which  they  pulled  him  off  the  flage  with  the  utmoft 
fury,  and  hurried  him  to  the  place  of  his  martyrdom  over 
againftBaliol-College  :  Where  he  put  off  his  clothes  with 
hafte,  and,  {landing  in  his  fhirt  and  without  his  lhoes, 
was  fattened  with  a  chain  to  the  flake.  Some  pr effing 
him  to  agree  to  his  former  recantation,  he  anfwered, 
fhewing  his  hand,  "  This  is  the  hand  that  wrote,  and 
"  therefore  it  fhall  firft  fuffer  punifhment."  Fire  being 
applied  to  him,  he  ftretched  out  his  right  hand  into  the 
flame,  and  held  it  there  unmoved,  except  that  once  he 
wiped  his  face  with  it,  till  it  was  confumed ;  crying  with 

a 


C     R    A     N     M     E     R.  189 

a  loud  voice,  "  This  hand  h;ith  offended  ;  and  often  re- 
peating, "  This  un  vorthy  right  hand.''  Al  hit,  the 
fire  getting  up,  he  loon  expired,  never  ftirring  or  ^rying  \ 
out  all  the  while  ;  only  keening  his  eyes  fixed  to  heaven, 
and  repeating  more  than  once;  "  Lord  Jefus,  receive 
M  my  fpirit."  He  died  in  the  iixty-feventh  year  of  his 
age. 

He  was  an  open,  generous,  honeft  man  ;  a  lover  of 
truth,  and  an  enemy  of  fallhood  and  fuperitition.  He 
was  gentle  and  moderate  in  his  temper  ;  and  though 
heartily  zealou-s  in  the  caufe  of  the  reformation,  yet  a 
friend  to  the  perfons  of  thole  who  raoft  ilrenuoniiy  op- 
pofed  it.  Thus  in  the  year  1534,  he  endeavoured  to  lave 
the  lives  of  bilhop  Filher  and  iir  Thomas  More  ;  and 
afterwards,  when  Tonitall  bifnop  of  Durham  came  into 
trouble,  ai:d  a  bill  was  brought  into  the  hpufe  of  lords 
for  attainting  him,  Cranmer  fpoke  freely,  nay  proteited, 
againft  it.  He  was  a  great  patron  of  learning  and  the 
universities,  and  extended  his  care  alfo  to  thofe  protef- 
tant  foreigners,  who  fled  to  England  from  the  troubles 
in  Germany.  He  was  a  very  learned  man  himfelf,  and 
author  of  ieveral  works,  printed  and  unprinted. 


B  b  JAMES 


t    290    ] 


JAMES    USHER,  D.D, 

ARCHBISHOP     of    ARMAGH. 


VERY  few  men  have  been  more  the  fubject  of  uni- 
verfal  admiration,  and  perhaps  as  few  have  deferved 
it  more,  than  the  excellent  man  of  whom  we  are  now 
writing.  His  immenfe  erudition,  acknowledged  by  all 
the  world,  and  his  large  meafure  of  divine  grace  which 
employed  that  erudition  to  the  moft  wife  and  beneficial 
purpoies,  rendered  him,  as  a  public  man,  the  brighter! 
example  of  his  time.  His  character,  as  a  private  chris- 
tian, though  not  fo  confpicuous,  was  no  lefs  extraordi- 
nary, and  made  him  at  once  the  edification  and  delight 
01   all  who  enjoyed  his  acquaintance. 

The  iubject  of  our  prefent  article,  James  Ufner,  who 
was  born  at  Dublin,  January  the  fourth,  1580,  difcovered 
j>reat  parts,  and  an  uncommon  attachment  to  bocks  from 
his  very  childhood.  It  is  a  moft  remarkable  circum- 
fiance,  that  his  rvo  aunts,  who  were  born  blind,  taught 
him  to  read. 

Uihcr  ieenis  to  have  been  under  the  tuition  of  thefe 

excellent 


USHER.  29t 

excellent  women  till  he  was  eight  years  old,  when  he 
was  fent  to  a  fchool  opened  by  Mr.  James'Fullerton  and 
Mr.  James  Hamilton,  two  learned  young  gentlemen  of 
Scotland,  who  were  placed  at  Dublin  by  K.  James  the 
firfl,  then  only  king  of  Scotland,  in  order  to  maintain  a 
correfpondence  with  the  protellant  nobility  and  gentry 
there,  for  the  fecurity  of  his  intereil  in  that  kingdom, 
when  O;  Elizabeth  mould  die.  That  great  queen,  like 
moll  other  great  politicians,  being  very  fufpicious,  and 
not  at  all  attached  to  K.  James  ;  it  was  thought  expe- 
dient for  them  to  aflame  fame  difguife  :  And,  for  this 
realbn,  they  took  up  the  profeilion  of  fchoolmalters, 
who  were  then  very  much  wanted  in  Ireland.  Under 
thefe  extraordinary  mailers,  he  continued  live  years,  and 
was  thoroughly  grounded  in  the  elements  of  learning,  to 
which  he  applied  himielf  with  all  thai  zeal  and  {pint, 
which  are  uiually  the  characterises  of  genius,  and  which 
are  commonly  crowned  with  fuccefs,  even  where  there  is 
no  genius.  He  ever  after  mentioned  thefe  preceptors  with 
honour,  and  ufed,  to  the  end  of  his  life,  to  mention  this 
occurrence,  as  a  (ignal  and  gracious  providence  of  GOD 
for  his  education,  which,  as  Ireland  then  flood,  muft 
otherwife  have  been  very  defective. 

At  the  expiration  of  thefe  five  years,  viz.  in  1593, 
and  in  the  thirteenth  year  of  his  age,  he  was  admitted  in- 
to the  college  of  Dublin,  which  was  then  finiihed.  He 
was  one  of  the  three  firft  itudents,  who  were  admit- 
ted :  And  his  name  (lands  to  this  day  in  the  firfl  line  of 
the  roll.  Here  Mr.  Hamilton  again  became  his  tutor, 
under  whom  he  fludied  logic  and  the  Ariftotelian  philofo- 
phy,  and  by  whom  he  was  celebrated  as  the  moil  extra- 
ordinary youth  of  his  time.  He  had  £0  much  acutenefs 
and  proficiency,  that  he  foon  came  up  with  his  ihftruc- 
tors.  Here  alio  he  firft  began  to  itudy  the  Greek  and 
Hebrew  tongues,  in  both  of  which  he  afterwards  excel- 
led, and  made  excuriions  into  the  other  walks  of  fcienee. 

Though 


292  USHER. 

Though  his  love  of  poetry  and  cards  retarded  his  ftudies 
for  fome  time,  he  foon  broke  through  thefe  juvenile 
attachments,  and  applied  to  his  leverer  ftudies  with  the 
clofer  application.  He  is  faid  to  have  been  wonderfully 
affected  with-that  paiTage  in  Cicero,  '  To  know  nothing 
of  what  happened  before  you  were  born,  is  to  be  always 
a  boy.'  Sleidan's  book  c  Of  the  four  monarchies'  infpired 
him  with  aftrong  pailion  for  the  ftudy  of  hiftory,  in  which 
he  afterwards  became  fuperlatively  excellent.  At  four- 
teen years  of  age,  he  began  to  make  extracts  from  all  the 
hiftorical  books  he  could  meet  with,  in  order  to  fix  the 
fads  more  firmly  in  his  memory  ;  and  between  fifteen, 
and  fixteen  he  had  made  fuch  a  proficiency  in  chronology, 
that  he  had  drawn  up  in  Latin  an  exact  chronicle  of  the 
Bible,  as  far  as  the  book  of  Kings,  not  much  differing 
from  his  Annals,  which  have  lince  been  publiihed,  and 
receive;!  with  the  higheft  efteem.  The  difference  chiefly 
confifls  in  the  addition  of  observations,  and  the  parallel 
chronology  of  the  heathens.  Before  he  was  fixteen,  he- 
had  entered  upon  theological  ftudies,  and  perufed  the 
molt  able  writers,  on  both  fides,  upon  the  Romifh  con- 
troverfy. 

Among  the  Romanifts,  he  read  Stapleton's  '  Fortrefs 
of  Faith  ;'  and  finding  that  author  confident  in  afferting 
antiquity  for  the  tenets  of  popery,  and  in  taxing  our 
church  with  novelty  in  what  it  diffented  from  the  church 
of  Rome,  he  kept  his  mind  in  iufpenfe,  till  he  could  ex- 
amine how  the  truth  itood  in  that  particular.  He  was 
perfuaded,  that  the  ancient  doctrines  bade  faireft  for  the 
right,  being  nearer  the  fountain-head,  concluding  with 
Tertullian,  that  <  Truth  fir  ft  appeared  ;.  and  afterwards 
error. '  But  he  might  have  fpared  himfelf  the  trouble  }a 
following  the  windings  of  the  ftream,  when  GOD's  pro- 
vidence had  put  it  in  his  power  to  recur  to  the  fountain  it- 
felf.  The  Bible  is  the  only  authority  ;  and  the  fathers 
or  any  other  writers,  are  valuable  in  proportion  as  they. 

approach 


USHER.  293 

approach  this  rule  and  are  conducted  by  it.  Not  that 
there  need  no  formularies  and  tells  ;  for  the  corruptions 
of  language  and  human  chicane,  have  made  thele  of  im- 
portance to  the  fafety  and  being  of  any  ecclefiaftical 
eftablifhraent ;  and  thole  perfons  are  juftly  to  be  fufpec- 
ted  who  wifh  to  throw  them  alide  under  pretence  of  the 
Bible  being  the  only  rule  of  faith  :  But  thefe  formularies 
are  to  be  received  only  agreeably  to  the  fcriptures. 

However,  about  the  feventeenthyear  of  his  age,  Ufher 
had  turned  over  fever al  of  the  fathers,  with  other  au- 
thors both  practical  and  polemical  upon  the  Subject  of 
divinity,  and  even  at  this  early  age  became  critically- 
acquainted  with  the  whole  Romifh  controverfy.  He 
reSolved  to  go  through  all'the  fathers  by  himfelf,  and  to 
trull  no  eyes  but  his  own,  if  GOD  fpared  his  life  and 
ttrength.  Accordingly,  he  began  this  talk,  in  a  regular 
manner,  about  the  twentieth  year  of  his  age,  and  finilhed 
it  when  about  thirty-eight  years  old ;  ftrictty  confining 
himfelf  to  read  (o  much  in  a  day,  and  differing  no  occa- 
lions  whatever  to  divert  him  from  it. 

In  159S,  he  held  the  part  of  respondent  with  great 
applaufe  in  the  philofopby  aft,  that  was  performed  in 
compliment  to  the  earl  of  Effex,  upon  his  firft  coming 
over  lord  lieutenant  of  Ireland,  and  chancellor  of  the 
univerfity  of  Dublin.  Our  ftudent  the  fame  year,  upon 
the  death  of  his  father,  who  had  defigned  him  for  his  own 
profeifion,  the  common  law,  difcovered  an  uncommon 
degree  of  reiblution  and  firmnefs  of  mind.  The  paternal 
eifate,  which  descended  to  him  as  eldeft  fon  and  heir,  he 
refigned,  though  of  confiderable  value,  to  his  younger 
brother  :  And  referving  only  lb  much  of  it  as  was  necef- 
fary  to  Support  him  in  a  Studious  life  a .  the  college,  he 
followed  his  own  inclination  in  devoting  himfelf  to  the 
profeflioil  of  divinity,  and  being  thereby  qualified  by  the 
llatiues,  he  was  admitted  fellow  of  the  Society.  The 
B  b  2  proficiency 


294  U     S     H     E     Pi. 

proficiency  he  made  in  this   ftudy,  was  anfwerable  to  his 
refolution. 

In  the  year,  1600,  Mr.  Uflier  was  appointed  proctor, 
and  chofen  catechetical  lecturer  of  the  univeriity.  In 
1 60 1,  he  entered  into  holy  orders,  and.  was  in  a  little 
time  appointed  afternoon  preacher  on  Sundays  before  the 
ftate  at  Chrift- church  in  Dublin.  In  the  courie  of  his 
duty,  he  preached  a  remarkable  ferrnon  againft  granting 
a  toleration  to  the  papifts.  The  text  was  from  Eze- 
kiel  iv.  6>- — And  thou  ft  alt  bear  the  iniquity  of  the  houfe  of 
Judah  forty  days  :  I  have  appointed  thee  each  day  for  a  year, 
which  he  applied  to  Ireland.  "  From  this  year  (fays 
he)  I  reckon  forty  years,  and  them  whom  you  now  em- 
brace ih all  be  your  ruin,  and  you  fhall  bear  their  iniquity. '? 
This  conjecture  at  that  time  feemed  to  be  the  prefent 
thought  of  a  young  man  who  was  no  friend  to  popery  ; 
but  when  the  Irifli  rebellion  broke  out  in  1641,  and  fo 
many  thoufand  proteitants  were  killed,  and  the  whole 
nation  harafled  by  a  bloody  war,  fome  perfons  then  alive, 
who  heard  the  fermon,  began  to  think  the  preacher  a 
young  prophet.  Our  author  was  remarkable  in  fome 
other  fuch  predictions,  infomuch  that  there  is  a  treatife 
extant    of  the  Predictions  of  Uflier. 

In  1603,  a  collection  of  eighteen  hundred  pounds 
being  made  to  buy  books  for  his  college  library,  he  was- 
pitched  upon,  with  Dr.  Chaloner,  to  execute  that  truftv 
The  money  was  raifed  by  the  Englifh  army,  after  having 
defeated  the  Spaniards  that  had  come  to  the  afliftance  of 
the  Irilh  at  Kinafale :  And  it  was  refolved  by  the  bene- 
,  factors  that  thele  two  fliould  be  employed  to  buy  the 
books.  They  difcharged  the  truft  to  the  fatisfaction  of 
the  donors  and  the  whole  college.  Our  author  always 
teitified  the  greateft  regard  for  the  benefit  of  the  college 
in  every  point,  as  is  evident  from  many  of  his  letters. 
He  was  vicechancellor  feveral  years,  and  frequently  cor- 
responded  with  Abbot  and  Laud,  the  two  fucceeding  chan- 
cellors* 


USHER.  295 

cellors.  Mr.  Ufher's  diligence  hi  baying  books  for  his 
college  library  brought  hiuv  into  Engiany,  where  he  be- 
came acq: mi i-ited  with  Sir  Thomas  Bodley,  who  being 
then  upon  the  like  employ  for  his  new  erected  library 
at  Oxford,  they  mutually  a'.Jiited  each  other.  But  it 
feems  to  have  been  during  his  ahfence  upon  this  occalion 
that  His  mother  was  reconciled  to  the  Romiili  reltgioo,  a 
misfortune  which  gave  him  the  rnoit  ai/lici  i  rig  concern, 
and  the  more  as  (he  continued  obitinate  therein  to  the 
kill,  dying  at  Droghedain  the  communion  of  that  church. 
In  1606,  the  like  buiinefs  of  purchafmg  books  and 
manufcripts  relating  to  the  Englifh  hiftory  (in  which 
ftudy  our  author  was  then  engaged)  brought  him  |gai» 
into  England.  He  now  contracted  an  intimate  acquaint- 
ance and  friendfhip  with  feveral  learned  men,  and  among 
others,  Mr.  Camden,  which  lad  deiig-.iing  a  new  edition 
of  his  Britannia,  confulted  with  him  about  publiihing 
Ninias,  St.  Patrick,  and  Congal,  and  other  things  relat- 
ing to  the  ancient  Hate  of  Ireland  and  the  city  of  Dublin, 
a  great  part  of  the  anfwers  to  which  were  inferted  in  the 
edition  of  the  Britannia  publiihed  in  1607,  with  thiselogy 
of  our  author  :  '  For  many  of  thefe  things  concerning 
Dublin  I  acknowledge  myielf  indebted  to  the  diligence 
and  labour  of  James  LJiher,  chancellor  of  the  church  of 
St.  Patrick,  who  in  various  learning  and  judgment  far 
exceeds  his  years.'  The  following  year,  1607,  he  pro- 
ceeded bachelor  of  divinity,  and  was  choi'en  profeiTor  of 
that  faculty  in  his  college.  He  was  alfo  promoted  to  the 
chancellorfhip  of  the  cathedral  of  St.  Patrick  the  lame 
year.  This  place  was  conferred  upon  him  by  Dr.  Adam 
Loftus,  then  archbifhop  of  Dublin.  It  was  his  firit  ec- 
clefiaftical  preferment ;  he  had  no  other  till  his  promo- 
tion to  the  bifhoprick  of  Meath.  Dr.  Parr  obferves, 
that  though  he  had  no  particular  obligation  by  this  pofr. 
to  preach,  yet  he  would  not  omit  it  in  the  place  whence 
he  received  the  profits,  viz.  Finlafs,  not  far  from  Dublin, 

which 


296  USHER. 

which  he  endowed  with  a  vicarage,  and  preached  there 
every  Sunday,  unlets  hindered  by  very  extraordinary  oc- 
eafions*  In  1609,  he  wrote  his  treatife  about  "  Her- 
niage  and  Corban  Lands/'  not  only  in  Ireland,  but  in 
England,  whither  he  came  a  third  time  this  year  to  buy 
books,  and  confult  manufcripts  upon  the  fubject  of  hif- 
tory  and  antiquities.  In  which  fearch  hevifited,  among 
others,  the  libraries  in  both  the  univerfities,  and  contrac- 
ted an  acquaintance  with  moil  of  the  literati  in  that  way 
there. 

In  the  fame  manner  he  continued  ever  after  to  make 
ence  in  three  .or  four  years  a  vifit  to  London,  palling  one 
month  of  his  ftay  in  the  fummer  at  Oxford,  and  another 
at  Cambridge.  Thus  eager  ki  the  pnrfuit  of  knowledge, 
lie  declined  rheprovcilfhip  of  his  college  to  which" he  was 
elected  in  16.10.  Two  years  afterwards  he  commenced 
D.  D.  and  the  next  year,  161 3,  being  at  London,  he 
publifhed  his  firft  treatife  of  the  Chriftian  Church;  it  was 
prefented  by  arehbifhop  Abbot  to  K.  James,  as  the  emi- 
nent firft-fruits  of  Dublin  univerfity.  This  piece  is  a 
continuation  of  bifhop  Jewel's  Apology,  written  in  an- 
i\ver  to  that  captious  question  of  the  papifts,  Where  was 
your  [proteftant]  rtligion  before  Luther  F  The  defign 
therefore  is  to  prove,  that  the  proteftant  tenets  are  the 
fame  with  thofe  of  the  primitive  church,  in  executing 
which  Jewel  (hews,  that  there  alio  were  fome  vifible 
members  of  this  church  down  to  the  fixth  century,  which 
is  here  extended  to  the  thirteenth  bj  our  author,  who 
further  proves  that  there  were  fome  perfons  in  the  weft- 
ern  churches,  during  the  darkeft  times  of  ignorance,  not 
tainted  with  the  errors  of  the  Romifh  faith.  It  is  divid- 
ed into  three  parts  :  The  firft  reaches  to  the  tenth  cen- 
tury, when  Gregory  VII.  was  raifed  to  the  popedom. 
The  fecond  was  to  have  reached  from  that  period  to  the 
year  1370.     And  the  third' was  planned  to.  bring  it  to  the 

reformation. 


USHER.  297 

reformation.  The  1  aft  edition  of  1687,  contained  like* 
wife  his  Antiquity  of  the  Britilh  Churches. 

Returning  home  a  little  before  MidfuniHier,  he  mar- 
ried Phoebe,  the  only  daughter  of  Dr.  L;  ike  Chaloner.  She 
continued  his  wife  forty  years,  and  was  always  treated  by 
him  with  great  tendernets  to  her  death,  which  preceded 
his  about  a  year  and  a  half. 

In  1 61 5,  he  drew  up  articles  of  religion  for  the  church 
of  Ireland;  which  being  intirely  Calvinistical,  in 
refpect  to  the  doctrine  of  abfolute  predeftination  and  re- 
pronation,  a  handle  was  made  of  this  ilep  to  endeavour 
the  ruin  of  his  intereft  with  K.  James,  by  re.-rei  ling 
him  as  inclined  to  puritanifm  ;  but  the  impotent  malice 
turned  (as  is  not  unufual  in  fuch  cafes)  greatly  to  his  ad- 
vantage. For  coming,  as  his  cuftom  was,  to  England, 
in  the  latter  end  of  the  year  1619,  he  brought  a  letter 
to  the  privy-council  to  clear  him  of  that  charge  ;  and  he 
afterwards  gave  the  king,  in  difcourfe,  fuch  intire  fatis- 
faclion  in  the  point,  that  the  biihopric  of  Meath  being 
then  vacant,  his  majefty  of  his  own  accord  nominated  him 
thereto  in  1620  ;  foon  after  which,  he  preached  before 
the  houfe  of  commons,  on  February  20y  that  year,  and 
printed  his  fermon  at  their  requeft.  He  was  confecrated 
to  his  fee  on  his  return  home  the  following  year.  In 
1622,  he  publiihed,  at  Dublin,  histreatife  concerning  The 
Religion  of  the  ancient  Iriih  and  Britons* 

In  June.  1623,  ne  was  constituted  a  privy- coun  fell  or 
of  Ireland;  and  went  not  long  after  to  England,  by  his 
majefty's  fpecial  command,  in  order  to  carry  on  a  work, 
which  he  had  begun  fome  time  before,  concerning  the 
antiquity  of  the  Britilh  churches.  This  bufmefs  keeping 
him  there  till  the  death  of  Dr.  Chriftopher  Hampton, 
archbiihop  of  Armagh,  in  January  1624,  -made  way  for 
his  advancement  to  that  fee,  upon  which occalion  he  pre- 
pared to  return  to  Ireland;  but  being  ieized  with  a 
quartan  ague,  which  held  him  nine  months,  it  was  An- 

gull 


2c$  USHER 

guft  1626,  when  he  arrived  there.  Before  he  left  Eng- 
land, he  had  a  deputation  with  a  popiih  prieft  at  Dray- 
ton in  Northamptonihire,  the  feat  of  lord  Mordaunt, 
afterwards  earl  of  Peterborough,  who  thereby  became  a 
convert  to  the  proteitant  religion.  He  was  fcarce  recov- 
ered from  his  ague,  when  lord  Mordaunt,  a  zealous 
Roman  catholic,  being  greatly  defirous  to  bring  his  lady 
into  the  pale  of  that  church,  concluded,  that  there  could 
be  no  better  or  more  certain  way  of  bringing  it  about, 
than  to  procure  a  deputation  to  be  held  between  two 
learned  and  principal  perfons,  one  of  each  fide,  at  which 
his  lady  mould  be  prefent.  In  that  refolution  he  chofe, 
for  the  champion  of  his  own  caufe,  the  jefuit  Beaumont. 
Againit  this  antagonifl  lady  Peterborough  chofe  our  Pri- 
mate, who,  notwithstanding  his  health  was  not  fuflkient- 
ly  confirmed  to  engage  in  fuch  a  taik,  yet  from  the  ar- 
dent zeal  for  the  reformed  doctrine,  with  which  he  was 
conftantly  animated,  and  to  fave  a  foul  from  falling  into 
the  wiles  of  an  artful  jefuit,  he  did  not  refufe  to  comply 
with  her  ladyfhip's  requeft.  The  place  appointed  for 
holding  the  difputation  was  my  lord?s  feat  at  Drayton  in 
Northamptonshire,  a  place  very  proper  for  the  buiinefs, 
as  being  furniilied  with  a  moil  copious  library  of  the 
writings  of  all  the  ancient  fathers  of  the  church,  which 
were  ready  at  hand,  if  it  ihould  happen  (which  is  ordina- 
rily the  cafe)  that  any  of  them  ihould  be  referred  to  in  the 
engagement.  The  heads  of  the  difpute  were  agreed  to 
be  upon  tranfubilantiation,  the  invocation  of  faints,  of 
images,  and  the  perpetual  vifibility  of  the  church.  After 
it  had  been  held  for  three  days,  five  hours  each  day,  in 
which  our  primate  fuftained  the  part  of  refpondent,  that 
office  for  the  fourth  day  lay  upon  Beaumont,  according 
to  the  regulation  fettled  by  himfelf.  But  no  jefuit  then 
appeared.  On  the  contrary,  he  fent  a  letter  to  the  ba- 
ron, with  an  excufe  for  the  default,  alledging,  '  That 
all   the  arguments  which  he  had  formed   had  flipt*  out  of 

his 


U     S     II     E     R. 


299 


his  memory,  nor  was  he  able  by  any  effort  to  recollect 
them ;  imputing  the  caufe  of  the  misfortune  to  a  juit 
judgment  of  GOD  upon  him,  for  undertaking  of  his  own 
accord,  without  the  licence  of  his  fuperiors,  to  engage  in 
a  difpute  with  a  perfon  of  fo  great  eminence  and  learn- 
ing as  the  primate.'  Such  a  ihameful  terglverfation  funk 
deeply  into  the  mind  of  lord  Mordaunt,  fo  that,  after 
fome  conferences  with  the  primate,  he  renounced  popery, 
and  continued  in  the  profeflion  of  the  proteftant  faith  to 
the  end  of  his  life. 

Being  now  at  the  head  of  the  Irifh  church,  he  omitted 
nothing  which  might  either  reform  the  abufes,  or  relieve 
the  wants  of  it,  both  in  regard  to  doctrine  and  difcipline. 
For  that  purpofe  he  made  frequent  perfonal  viiitations, 
admoniihing  thofe  of  the  clergy  whom  he  found  faulty, 
and  giving  excellent  advice  and  directions  to  the  reft, 
charging  them  to  ufe  the  liturgy  of  the  church  in  all  pub- 
lic administrations,  and  to  preach,  and  catechife  diligent- 
ly in  their  refpective  cures,  and  to  make  the  holy  fcrip- 
tures  the  rule  as  well  as  the  fubject  of  their  doctrine  and 
fermons.  He  alfo  endeavoured  to  reform  the  proctors, 
apparitors,  and  other  officers  of  the  eccleiiaiTical  courts, 
where  there  were  many  great  complaints  of  abufes  and 
exactions  in  hie  predeceflbr's  time ;  keeping  a  watchful  eye 
to  defeat  the  reftlefs  endeavors  of  its  neareft  and  moft 
dangerous  enemies  the  papifts.  In  thisfpirit,  he  oppofed 
vigoroufly  a  defign  which  was  fet  on  foot  by  them  in  the 
winter  after  his  arrival  for  granting  a  more  full  tolera- 
tion to  them.  At  the  fame  time  obferving  the  daily 
growth  and  increafe  of  Arminianifm,  which  was  looked 
on  by  him  as  a  very  dangerous  doctrine,  he.  employed 
lome  time  in  fearching  into  the  original  of  the  predefti- 
narian  controverfy,  and  meeting  with  a  curiofity  upon 
that  fubject,  he  publilhed  it  in  1 63 1 .  He  publifhed  alfo 
?nother  treatife  in  1632,  concerning  the  ancient  Irifh 
Jiurch,  containing  a  choice  collection  of  letters    out   of 

leveral 


3-00  USHER. 

feveral  ancient  manuScripts,  and  other  authors,  to  and 
from  Irifh  biihops  and  monks,  from  anno  592  to  11 80, 
concerning  the  affairs  of  the  Irifh  church;  which  fhew 
the  great  efteem,  as  well  for  learning  as  piety,  in  which 
the  biihops  and  clergy  of  that  church  were  held  both  at 
Rome,  France,  England,  and  elfewhere  :  With  feveral 
matters  relating  to  the  great  controversies  of  thofe  times 
about  the  keeping  of  Eatrer,  and  alfo  every  thing  relating 
to  the  ecclefiaftical  discipline  and  jurisdiction  of  the  church 
of  that  kingdom. 

All  this  while  he  kept  a  correspondence  in  all  countries 
for  the  advancement  of  learning,  whereby  among  other 
tilings,  he  had  procured  in  1634  a  very  good  copy  of  the 
Samaritan  Pentateuch  from  the  Eaft ;  beiides  one  of  the 
Old  Teftament  in  Syriac,  and  other  valuable  manuScripts. 
It  was  one  of  the  flrfl  of  thofe  Pentateuchs  that  ever 
were  brought  into  thefe  weftern  parts  of  Europe,  as  Mr. 
Selden  and  Dr.  Walton  acknowledge;  and  the  Syriac 
Teftament  was  much  more  perfect  than  had  hitherto 
been  feen  in  thefe  parts.  The  other  manufcripts  were 
procured  by  the  means  of  one  Tvlr.  Davies,  then  a  mer- 
chant at  Aleppo.  The  archbimop collated  the  Samaritan 
with  the  Hebrew,  and  marked  the  differences  ;  and  not- 
withstanding the  aforementioned  neceflary  avocations  in 
the  diScharge  of  his  epifcopal  office,  he  proSecuted  his 
Studies  with  indefatigable  diligence,  the  fruits  of  which 
appeared  in  1638,  w hen  he  published  at  Dublin,  in  4to. 
his  Emmanuel,  or  a  Treatife  on  the  Incarnation  of  the 
Son  of  GOD  ;  which  was  followed  by  his  Antiquities  of 
the  Britifh  church  in  the  enfuing  year.  This  hiftory 
contains  a  moSt  exact  account  of  the  BritiSh  church : 
From  the  fir  ft  planting  of  chriftianity  in  twenty  years 
after  our  Saviour's  crucifixion,  he  brings  it  down  both  in 
Britain  and  Ireland,  to  the  end  of  the  Seventh  century. 

In  the  beginning  oS  164c,  he  came  into  England  with 
his  family,  intending  {as  before)  to  return  in  a.year  or 

two 


USHER.  301 

Two  at  fartheft.  Soon  after  his  arrival  he  went  to  Ox- 
ford for  the  more  convenience  of  purfning  his  (Indies  ; 
Bin  theie  were  unhappily  interrupted  by  the  urgent  necef- 
fity  of  the  times,  which  put  him  upon  writing  fome  pie- 
ces that  were  publilhed  at  Oxford  in  1 641,  on  thefubjecl: 
of  epifcopacy  :  The  defign  is  to  prove,  from  Actsxix.  17. 
iupported  by  Rev.  ii.  1 .  and  confirmed  by  ecclefiaftical 
hiftory,  that  biihops  and  metropolitans  were  initituted  by 
the  apoftles ;  meaning  only  with  regard  to  their  fuperi- 
prity  in  degree  ;  for  he  did  not  hold  epifcopacy  to  be  a 
Superior  order  to  prefbytery.  He  alfo  endeavours  to 
prove,  that  the  bilhop  of  Ephefus  was  not  only  the  me- 
tropolitan of  the  Proconfular  Afia,  but  the  primate  or 
Exarch  of  all  the  provinces  that  were  comprehended  with- 
in the  compafs  of  the  whole  Afian  dioceie  ;  and  that  he 
acled  fuitably  to  the  patriarchal  jurifdidion,  which  was 
in  effect  conferred  upon  him.  In  the  profecution  of  the 
argument  he  ihews  :  1.  That  the  Stars  de(*_ribed  in  the 
Revelations     are    the    angels    of     the    fevcn    churches. 

2.  That  thefe  angels  were  the  feveral  bifhc^s  ofthofe 
churches,    and    not   the    whole    college    of    prelbyters. 

3.  That  each  of  theie  feven  churches  was  at  that  time  a 
metropolis.  4.  That  theie  biihops  were  ordained  by  the 
apodles  as  conitant  permanent  officers  in  the  church,  and 
fo  in  a  fart  jure  divlm,  not  to  be  difpenfed  with  except 
in  cafes  of  neceffity.  Thefe  tracls  were  printed,  with 
others  upon  the  fame  fubjecc,  under  the  following  title : 
"  Certain  brief  Treatifes,  written  by  diverfe  learned 
Men,  concerning  the  ancient  and  modern  Government  of 
the  church,  wherein  both  the  primitive  Institution  of 
Epifcopacy  is  maintained,  and  the  lawfulnefs  of  the  Or- 
dination of  Proteftant  Mi  miters  beyond  the  Seas  likewife 
defended.     Oxford,  1641,  4to." 

In  the  rebellion  which  broke  out  this  year  in  Ireland 
the.  popifh  party  made  fpoil    of  all    the  effects  of.  the  Pri- 
mate, except  fome  furniture  in  his  houie  at   Drogheda 
c  c  and 


3o2  V     S     H    E    R. 

and  his  library  there,  which  were  conveyed  thence  to 
Chefvcr.  Thus  deprived  End  plundered,  he  never  more 
few  hit.  native  country,  ar.'d  had  the  biihoprick  of  Carlifle 
lately  vacant  by  the  death  of  Dr.  Potter,  given  him  by 
the  king  to  hofij  in  commendam  ;  but  the  revenues  of  it 
v  ere  much  in  v  aired  by  the  quartering  of  the  Scotch  and 
Frglilh  armies  upon  it :  Neither  did  he  above  once  or 
f.\  ice  receive  the  annual  penfion  of  four  hundred  pounds 
voted  to  be  given  him  by  the  parliament,  upon  their 
feizing  the  bifiiop's  lands. 

In  1642,  he  returned  to  Oxford,  where,  befides  his 
.clofe  application  to  ftudy,  he  preached  every  Sunday  at 
fome  of  the  churches.  The  following  year  he  was  no- 
minated one  of  the  affembly  of  divines  at  Weftminiter,  but 
was  fofar  from  complying  to  it,  that  he  even  fpoke  againft 
their  authority  in  fome  of  his  fermons ;  upon  which  he 
was  not  only  voted  out  again,  but  his  library  feized  by 
the  parliament ;  yet  he  met  with  fome  friends  who  re- 
deemed it.  Upon  the  decline  of  the  king's  affairs,  Ox- 
ford being  threatened  with  a  fiege,  he  left  that  city,  and 
retired  to  CaerdifFein  Wales  to  the  houfe  of  Sir  Timothy 
Tyrrel,  who  had  married  his  only  daughter,  and  was 
then  governor  of  that  garrifon,  and  general  of  the  ord- 
nance. Having  brought  many  chefts  of  books  with  him, 
he  profecuted  his  ftudies  here  undifturbed  for  fix  months, 
and  made  a  good  progrefsin  the  firft  part  of  his  Annals  : 
Till  this  garrifon  was  unfurniihed  for  the  king's  fervice, 
and  his  fcn-in-law  obliged  to  give  up  his  poll:,  and  quit  the 
pkice.  In  this  exigence,  he  very  gladly  accepted  of  an 
invitation  from  lady  dowager  Stradling  to  come  to  the 
rafile  at  St.  Donate.  But  in  patting  thither,  he  unlucki- 
ly fell  into  the  hands  of  the  mountaineers,  who  ilript  him 
of  all  his  books  and  papers,  which  yet  were  afterwards, 
in  a  great  nieafure,  recovered  by  the  kindnefs  of  the  cler- 
gy and  gentlemen  of  that  country  ;  and  he  met  with  an 
excellent  library  at  St. -Donate,  which  he  did  not- neglect 

to 


U     S     II     E    R.  303 

to  make  ufe  of  while  he  was  able  ;  but  within  a  month 
after  his  arrival,  he  was  feized  with  a  fit  of  ficknefs,  which 
reduced  him  to  the  laft  extremity-  Alter  his  recovery, 
he  went  to  London  by  the  invitation  of  the  countefs  of 
Peterborough,  at  whofehoufe  he  arrived  in  June,  1646; 
and,  in  the  beginning  of  the  next  year,  was  chofen 
preacher  to  the  fociety  of  Lincoln's-Inn.  The  ibciety 
ordered  him  handfome  lodgings/  ready  furnithed,  and  fe- 
veral  rooms  for  his  library,  which  was  about  this  time 
brought  up  from  Chefter,  being  almoit  all  the  remains  of 
hisfubftance  that  had  efcaped  the  rebels.  Mr.  (after- 
wards lord  chief  juftice)  Hale  was  then  a  bencher  of 
the  fociety,  and  probably  had  the  chief  hand  in  procur- 
ing him  this  place;  and  it  happened  that  the  fociety  was 
well  rewarded  for  it  by  that  treafure  lodged  in  this  libra- 
ry by  the  lord  chief  juftice  in  four  volumes,  which  were 
extracted  from  the  Primate's  manufcripts  ;  of  which  Dr. 
Parr  has  fubjoined  to  his  life  of  the  Primate  a  catalogue, 
confiftingof  thirty-three  very  curious  books.  This  year 
he  publiihed  his  treatife  De  Romans  Ecclefi<c  Symbolo, 
which  he  followed  by  his  Differtatio  de  Maccdomim  et  Afi- 
anorum  anno  folari  in  the  beginning  of  1648,  8vo.  In 
this  tract,  befides  fixing  the  exact  time  of  St.  Polycarp's 
martyrdom,  he  hath  compared  the  Grecian  and  Macedo- 
nian months  with  the  Julian  and  other  nations  ;  and  hav- 
ing laid  down  the  method  and  difpolition  of  the  Macedo- 
nian and  Afiatic  year,  he  adds  rules  for  findino-  out  the 
cycles  of  the  fun  and  moon,  and  Eaiter  for  ever,  with  ie- 
veral  curious  accounts  of  the  celeftial  motions  according  to 
the  ancient  Greek  aftronomers,  Melon,  Calippus,  Eudox- 
us,  and  others.  To  which  is  annexed  an  Epherneris,  or 
intire  Greek  and  Roman  calender  for  the  whole  year, 
with  the  rifmfrand  fetting-  of  the  itars  in  that  climate. 

About  this  time  he  was  fent  for  to  the  Ifle  of  Wight 
by  his  majeity,  toaffifthim  in  treating  with  the  parliament 
upon  the  point  of  epifcopacy  ;  when   he  propofed  an  ex- 

iitt«i  pedient, 


3©4  U     S     H     S     Rr. 

pedient,  which  he  called  Prefbyterian  and  Epifcopal  Go- 
vernment  conjoined,  which  the  king  approved  as  the 
likeliefl  means  of  reconciling  the  then  differences.  But 
no  propofals,  how  moderate  foever,  were  able  to  fatisfy 
the  prefbyterians,  till  his  majefly  was  taken  out  of  their 
hands  by  the  army,  and  brought  to  the  fcaffold,  the  fight 
of  which  flruck  our  primate  with  the  utmoil  horror. 
The  countefs  of  Peterborough's  houfe,  where  the  primate 
then  lived,  being  exactly  oppofite  to  Charing-Crofs,  fe- 
veral  of  the  family,  at  the  time  of  the  king's  execution, 
went  up  to  the  leads  of  the  houfe,  which  commanded  a 
full  view  of  Whitehall ;  and,  as  foon  as  his  majefly  came 
upon  the  fcaffold,  fome  of  them  went  down  and  told  the 
primate,  afking  him  if  he  would  not  fee  the  king  once 
more  before  he  was  put  to  death.  Though  unwilling  at 
firft,  yet  he  was  perfuaded  at  length  to  go  up,  as  well 
out  of  a  defire  to  fee  the  king  once  again,  as  curiofity, 
fmce  he  could  fc;tr.ce  believe  what  they  told  him  unlefs  he 
law  it.  When  he  came  upon  the  leads,  his  majefly  was 
in  his  fpeeeh  :  The  primate  flood  fall,  and  faid  nothing, 
but  fighed ;   and  lifting    his  hands  and  eves  full   of  tears 

P  9  ■      TO  J 

towards  heaven,  feemedto  pray  earneflly.  But  when  the 
king  had  done  fpeaking,  and  had  taken  off  his  cloaths  and 
doublet,  and  flood  ftript  in  his  waiilcoat,  and  the  execu- 
tioners in  vizards  began  to  put  up  his  hair,  the  primate 
grew  pale,  and  began  to  faint;  fo  that,  if  he  had  not 
been  obferved  by  his  own  fervant,  and  fome  others  who 
flood  near,  and  thereup  jn  fupported  him,  he  had  fwooned. 
away.  Upon  this,  they  prefently  carried  him  down,  and 
laid  him  on  his  bed,  where  he  made  ufe  both  of  tears 
and  prayers  ;  tears  that  fo  horrid  a  fin  mould  be  commit- 
ted, and  prayers  that  GOD  would  give  his  prince  patience 
and  conilancy  to  undergo  thole  cruel  fufferings  ;  and  that 
he  would  not,  for  the  vindication  of  his  own  honour, 
permit  fo  great  a  wickednefs  to  pafs  unpunifhed.     And 

he 


U     SJH     E    R.  305 

he  kept  the  thirtieth  of  January  a  private  fall  as  long  as 
he  lived. 

In  1650,  he  publifhed  the  firft:  part  of  his  annals, of 
the  (lid  Teitament.  In  1654,  Cromwell  now  railed  to 
the  fupreme  dignity  with  more  than  kingly  power,  under 
the  title  of  Protector,  thought  it  would  become  that  cha-*. 
racier  to  put  on  the  air  and  manner  of  a  gracious  Sove- 
reign, equally  regarding  all  his  Subjects  with  a  paternal 
care,  without  diitinction  of  parties  or  profelFions.  In 
this  difpolition  he  began  to  mew  favour  to  Come  of  the 
orthodox  clergy  of  the  church  of  England  :  Among  thefe 
was  Dr.  Nicholas  Bernard,  who  had  been  the  lord  pri- 
mate's chaplain  in  Ireland,  and  was  afterwards  dean  of 
Kilmore.  Cromwell  having  Saved  his  life  at  the  taking 
of  Drogheda,  had  now  made  him  his  chaplain,  when  his 
higlmefs,  in  the  fame  humor,  fending  for  the  primate, 
received  him  with  great  kindnefs  and  civility,  and  the 
following  year  gave  him  a  promiie  to  grant  liberty  of 
conscience  to  the  epiicopal  clergy,  which  being  evaded 
by  the  Ufurper,  occafioned  the  primate  thereupon  to  pre- 
dict the  king's  restoration. 

At  lady  Peterborough's  he  was  taken  on  the  2Cth 
of  March,  1656,  with  an  illnefs  which  carried  him  off 
the  next  day,  in  the  Seventy-iixth  year  of  his  age.  He 
firft  complained  of  his  hip,  thinking  it  was  a  touch  of 
the  /ciatica,  which  he  had  been  afflicted  with  many  years 
before.  But  next  morning  he  complained  of  a  great 
pain  in  his  fide,  which  could  not  be  removed  by  the  phv- 
fi'cian,  and  he  departed  about  one  o'clock  in  the  afternoon. 
His  Lift  words  were,  "  O  Lord  forgive  me  efpecially 
my  (ins  of  omiSTion." 

As  to  the  archbifliop's  chancier  :  His  genuis,  in  every 
particular,  has  been  Sufficiently  marked  in  the  courSe  of 
this  memoir;  we  (hall  therefore  only  give  ibme  delcri:)- 
tion  of  his  perSon  and  temper.  He  was  o;  tne  taller  fort 
of  middle-iize.i  men,  and  well-ftiaped.  He  walked  up. 
Cc  2  right 


306  U     S    H    E    R. 

right  to  the  laft.  His  hair  was  naturally  brown  when 
young,  and  his  complexion  fanguine.  His  countenance 
exprefled  gravity  and  good-nature.  He  had  a  prcfence 
that  commanded  both  refpecl  and  reverence.  He  wr.s 
eafy.  affable,  and  chearful  in  converfation,  and  extremely 
charitable.  He  was  offofweet  a  temper,  continues  Dr. 
Parr,  that  I  never  heard  he  did  an  ill  office  to  any  one 
man,  or  revenged  any  of  thofe  that  had  been  done  to  him. 
He  envied  no  man's  happinefs,  or  villified  their  perfons 
or  parts,  nor  was  he  apt  to  cenfure,  or  condemn  any 
man  upon  bare  reports.  Though  he  could  rebuke  iharp- 
ly  in  the  caufe  of  virtue  and  religion;  yet  he  was  not 
eafily  provoked  to  paffion.  He  left  his  library,  being  the 
chief  part  of  his  fubftance,  as  a  portion  to  his  only  daugh- 
ter, who  had  been  the  mother  of  a  numerous  offspring. 
It  was  firft  bought  by  the  officers  and  ibldiers  of  Crom- 
well's army  in  Ireland,  and  lodged  in  Dublin-calile, 
where  it  lay,  though  not  without  being  much  pillaged,  till 
the  reftoration,  which  bringing  it  into  the  poffeifion  of 
K.  Charles  II.  he  gave  it,  according  to  the  primate's 
ftrft  intention,  to  Dublin-college,  where  it  now  remains. 


THEODORE     BEZA. 


THIS  great  minifter  of  Geneva  was  one  of  the  chief 
pillars  of  the  reformed  church.  He  was  born  the 
twenty-fourth  of  June,  151 9,  at  Vezelay,  in  France, 
where  his  family  was  in  great  efteen,  and  he  was  nobly 

defc  ended 


B       E       Z       A. 


3°7 


defcended  by  both  parents.     lie  was  fent  to    Paris  very 
young,  where  he  was  tenderly  educated    under   the 
of  his  untie  Nicholas  Beza,  counfellor  of  th  \  nt, 

till  1528,  when  he  was  lent  to  Orleans,  to  itudy  m 
Mekhior  VVolmar,  a  German,  and  profeffor  of  tl 
language.  Bev.a  then  began  to  ftudy  the  law  at  Orleans ; 
but  he  fpent  the  belt  part  of  his  time  in  compofmg  ver- 
ies,  and  reading  this  dailies.  He  diftinguifbed  himfelf  in 
a  very  particular  manner  by  his  poetry,  which  made  him 
carelfed  by  the  moft  learned  men  of  the  univeriity.  and 
highly  extolled  by  the  heft  poets  of  that  time. 

His  uncle  the   counfellor,   who  dehgned  him  for 
church,  died  in  1532:   But  another  "uncle,  abbot  ofFro- 
idmontj  had  the  lame  kindriefs  "for  his  nephew,  and  in- 
tended to  refi  to  him,   which  was  worth 
teen  thoufand  livres   a  year.     Beza  took  his  licentiate's 
degree  in  1  530,  when  he  was  in  his  t  wen  ty-firft  year, 
then  went  to  Paris,  where  fome  gc  .  its  were 
provided  for  him,  which   he  might  well  expect  from  th? 
interelt  of  his  friends,  his   great   talents,  and  urjcoiimon 
reputation.     The  allurements  of  pleafure,  the   fweets  of 
fame,   and  the  hones  of  the    greateft  honours,  gave  him 
very  pleating  fenfations,  and  combated  for  ions  tine  zht 
refolutiori  he  had   taken  to  follow  Wolmar,  and   make   a 
public  profefnon  of  the  reformation. 

The  temptations  of  the  world  made  him  irrefokitc 
renouncing  popery  ;  but  he  provided   againft  the  t 
tions   of  the  fle/h  by  a  marriage  of  conscience.      He  was 
handfome  and   polite,  as  well  as  witty  and    learned;   a 
he  paid  his  addrefles  to  Claudia  DenoiTa,  who  was  a  very 

able  woman.  He  made  this  lady  a  folem 
marry  her  publicly,  as  foon  as  the  ohftacles  wbicl?  hind- 
ered him  at  that  time  mould  be  removed  ;  and  no:  to 
engage  himfelf  in  the  ecclefiaiiical  Mate  till  af  cr  the  ce- 
lebration of  their  nuptials.  He  faithfully  performed  thefe 
two  promifes  ;  and  fays  himfelf,  that  "  he  entered  into  a 

con  tract 


3c8  B      £      Z      a. 


u  contract'  of  marriage,  but  fecretly  ;  yet  with  the  pr*- 
"  vacy  of  one  or  two  of  his  pious  friends,  partly  that  he 
u  might  not  offend  the  reft,  and  partly  becaufe  ofhisec- 
"  cldiafiical  benefices. ?? 

Some  new  pieces  of  his,  especially  a  witty  Epigram 
that  he  compofed,  being  cenfured  as  licentious  and  -  too 
free;  andibrae  envious  peribns  calumniating  his  life  ;  he 
quitted  his  priory  of  Lonjemeaux,  and  retired  to  Geneva 
in  1^48.  Thefe  poems  of  Beza  mould  be  placed  among 
the  iins  of  his  youth,  for  which  he  alked  pardon  both  of 
God  and  the  world.  lie  endeavoured  by  all  means  to 
fupprefs  them,  after  his  conversion  ;  but  the  papifts,  in 
order  to  vex  and  difgrace  him,  often  reprinted  them* 
One  of  that  generation,  objecting  to  him  the  looi'e  poems 
of  his  youth,  he  anfwered  ;  "  "That  man  vexeth  himfeit, 
becaufe  Chriit  hath  vouchlbfed  me  his  grace. r? 

Beza  was  of  opinion,  that  the  equality  of  pallors  is  of 
divine  right,  and  "that  the  eceleliaitical  hierarchy  is  a  fun- 
damental corruption  ;  meaning  undoubtedly  the  perver- 
ted fyftem  of  the  church"  of  Rome  ;  for.it  appears  (fays 
Mr.  Strype)  '  that  afterwards  Beza  and  Sadeel,  in  the 
*  name  of  the  church  of  Geneva,  profelfed,  in  a  letter 
'  written  to  archbilhop  Whitgift,  their  reipect,  honour, 
'  and  approbation  of  the  church  of  England,  by  way  of 
'  contradiction  to  fome  perfons,  who,  under  fanction  of 
6  the  Geneva  form,  attempted  to  overthrow  its  con- 
c  ftitution.' 

He  dcd  to  Geneva  with  his  intended  bride,  and  arrived 
there  the  twenty-fourth  of  October,  1548,  the  follow- 
ing year,  he  accepted  the  profeflbrfhip  of  the  Greek 
tongue  at  Laufanne,  a  city  in  the  canton  of  Bern.  He 
then  married  Claudia  Denoifa,  with  whom  he  lived  forty 
years  lovingly  and  honourably  ;  For  Vae  was  a  lady  of 
great  merit,  diligent,,  frugal,  and  particularly  careful  uf 
her  hufband- 

jr^Beza  foon  became  very  famous  for  his  Latin  composi- 
tions 


B      E       Z       A.  309 

tions  and  particularly  for  his  excellent  tranflation  of  the 
pfalms  of  David  in  verfe-  And  he  wrote  a  treatife  of 
the  rights  that  magiftrates  have  to  puniih  heretics.  The 
laft  was  upon  the  occaiion  of  Michael  Servetus,  whom  the 
lenate  of  Geneva  had  ordered  to  be  burnt. 

He  publifhed  feveral  books  at  Laufanne.  Beza,  at 
this  time,  had  not  tempered  his  fire,  and  moderated  his 
gay  difpofition,  which  made  him  let  fall  many  railleries  in 
his  works  :  It  is  true,  he  called  them  pious  railleries;  but 
they  expofed  him  to  the  cenfure  of  his  adverfaries. 

Beza  went  frequently  to  Geneva,  to  vifit  Calvin,  daring 
the  vacations.  Calvin  was  delighted  with  his  poetry  ; 
but  exhorted  him  to  dedicate  his  talents  to  the  fervice  of 
the  church. 

During  the  nine  years  that  Beza  continued  at  Lau- 
fanne,  he  would  not  confine  himfelf  to  Greek  lectures. 
He  read  fome  in  French  on  the  New  Teftament,  which 
were  for  the  inftruction  and  confolation  of  feveral  refugees 
of  both  fexes,  who  lived  at  Laufanne  :  But  they  have 
been  coniidered  at  the  feeds  of  his  Latin  tranflation  of 
the  New  Teftament  with  notes,  which  he  fir  ft  publiihed 
in  1556. 

Calvin  had  a  thorough  knowledge  of  men,  and  inten- 
ed  Beza  for  his  fucceifor.  He  often  commi.fioned  him  to 
confer  with  the  Lutherans,  and  at  laft  invited  him  to 
Geneva.  Before  Beza  quitted  the  profeilbrmip  which  he 
exercifed  at  Laufanne,  he  made  a  journey  into  Germany, 
in  the  character  of  a  deputy,  and  had  the  pleafure  of 
conferring  with  Melancthon  as  he  palled  through  Frank- 
fort in  1557. 

Beza  fettled  at  Geneva  in  1559*  He  ftrongly  attach- 
ed himfelf  to  Calvin  at  Geneva,  where  he  foon  became 
his  colleague  in  the  church,  and  univeriity.  He  fucceed- 
ed  Claudius  Pontanus  as  minifter  ;  and  compofed  his  Con- 
feffion  of  faith  in  Latin,  which  he  had  formerly,  wrote  to 
juftify  himfelf  to  his  father,  and  with  a  view  of  convert- 
ing 


3io  B      E'     Z      A* 

ing  the  old  man.  Ke  publiihed  this  Latin  confeiTion- 
in  1560. 

The  Guiles  had  invaded  the  royal  authority  under  the 
reign  of  Francis  II.  to  the  prejudice  of  the  princes  of  the 
blood.  Beza  was  lent  to  Nerac,  at  the  mitigation  of  fome 
great  peribns  of  the  kingdom,  to  convert  Anthony  of 
Bourbon,  king  of  Navarre,  and  to  confer  with  him  about 
matters  of  coniequence. 

'I  he  continual  difputes,  fubfifting  among  the  French 
fubjects  about  religion,  determined  the  bifhops  to  appoint 
a  conference  between  the  French  fubjects  and  the  pro- 
t  eft  ant  nriniilers.  It  was  held  at  Poilri,  where  the  prin- 
ces, the  cardinals,  and  the  greateft  lords  of  the  kingdom 
amited,  and  the  king  himfelf  prefided.  It  was  opened 
on  the  ninth  of  September,  1561^ 

This  conference  continued  near  two  months :  Great 
difputes  arofe  upon  the  contefted  points :  And  a  fecre- 
tary  was  always  prefent  to  take  down  minutes  of  every 
thing  that  was  faid  or  done.  The  proteftant  doctors,  and 
particularly  Beza,  fpoke  with  great  freedom. 

Beza  did  not  return  to  Geneva  when  the  conference 
was  ended  ;  for,  being  a  Frenchman,  Catharine  de  Medi- 
cis  would  have  him  fiay  in  his  own  country.  He  preach- 
ed frequently  before  the  queen  of  Navarre,  the  prince  of 
Conde,  and  in  the  fuburbs  of  Paris.  The  king  of  Na- 
varre, though  of  the  religion  of  the  protefbnts,  declared 
himfelf  againft  them,  to  prefer  ve  the  title  of  viceroy: 
But  the  prince  of  Conde,  the  Coligny's,  and  feveral  others, 
being  incenfed  by  all  the  ill  treatment  of  the  proteftants, 
whole  doctrine  they  had  embraced,  retired  from  court, 
and  began  to  make  the  proteitants  take  up  arms  in  their 
own  defence. 

Beza  attended  the  prince  of  Conde  during  this  civil 
war,  and  was'  at  the  battle  of  Dreux,  in  1562,  as  a  mi- 
niiier.  7  lie  fortune  of  this  engagement  was  very  un- 
common ;  for.    the  j'generals  of  both  parties  were  ^taken 

prisoners. 


B       E       Z       A. 


3" 


prifoners.  The  conltable  Montmorency  was  carried  to 
Orleans ;  and  the  prince  of  Conde  to  the  camp  of  the 
king's  troops.  After  which,  the  duke  of  Guile  comman- 
ded the  Royalilts,  and  Coligny  commanded  the  protec- 
tants. 

During  the  impriibnment  of  the  prince  of  Conde, 
Beza  always  kept  with  admiral  Coligny,  and  did  not  re- 
turn to  Geneva,  till  after  the  peace  of  1563. 

When  Beza  returned  to  Geneva,  he  fucceeded  Calvin. 
He  wrote  an  apology  for  his  Latin  translation  of  the 
New  Teftament,  which  had  been  cenfured  by  Sebaftian 
Caftalio,  whom  Beza  charges  with  openly  endeavoring, 
in  a  preface  on  the  perverfion  of  the  facred  books,  to 
deftroy  the  fufficiently  evident  authority  of  the  divine 
word. 

The  religious  war  in  France  deftroyed  many  thoufands 
on  both  fides,  and  Beza  returned  again  to  that  kingdom 
in  157 1,  to  affiit  at  the  national  fynod  of  Rochelle,  of 
which  he  was  elected  moderator.  The  papifts  broke  the 
peace  of  1568,  by  the  maflacre  of  Paris  in  157 1,  which 
was  called  the  maflacre  of  St.  Bartholomew.  Above 
thirty  thoufand  proteftants  were  murdered  ;  and  the  king 
of  Navarre,  with  the  young  prince  of  Conde,  the  only 
two  perlbns  faved,  were  compelled  to  abjure  the  reform- 
fid  religion. 

The  Hugonots  recommenced  the  war  with  great  ani- 
mofity  ;  and  Beza,  in  1572,  aflifted  at  the  fynod  ofNilmes, 
where  he  oppoied  the  faction  of  John  Morel,  who  defign- 
ed  to  introduce  a  new  difcipline.  The  royal  army  be- 
fieged  Rochelle,  which  was  fo  gallantly  defended  by  the 
proteftants,  that  peace  was  granted  them  in  1573* 

The  fifth  civil  war  began  the  next  year,  when  Charles 

IX.  died,  and  was  fucceeded  by  his  brother,  Henry  III. 

The  prince  of  Conde  at   that  time  lent  for  Beza  to  Strat- 

burg,  that  he  might  carry  on   a  negotiation  with  prince 

John   Cafunir,    adminiftrator  of    the   palatinate ;    which 

mews, 


3i2  B     E    Z    A. 

fhews,  it  was  well  known,  that  Bcza  underftood  other 
things  befules  lectures  and  books.  He  fucceeded  fo  well, 
that  Cafimir  brought  an  army  from  Germany  to  ailifl  the 
Hugonots,  who  obtained  a  peace  upon  more  advantageous 
terms  than  any  of  the  former. 

Beza  returned  to  Geneva,  where  James  Arminius  was 
fent  in  1582,  to  perfect  his  ftudies,  at  the  expence  of 
the  magistrates  of  Amfterdam.  He  chiefly  followed  the 
lectures  of  Beza,  who  at  that  time  expounded  the  epiftle 
to  the  Romans.  Arminius  was  afterwards  profeffor  of  di- 
vinity at  Leyden  ;  and  formed  a  Separate  feet,  which  was 
condemned  in  a  national  fynod. 

Beza  continued  quietly  at  Geneva  till  1586,  in  which 
time  there,  had  been  three  other  civil  wars  in  France 
about  religion.  The  duke  of  Guife,  and  his  brother  the 
cardinal,  were  ailalTinated  by  order  of  the  king,  who,  in 
1589,  was  ftabbed  in  his  turn  by  James  Clement,  a  monk, 
and  died  of  the  wound.  The  line  of  Valois  ended  in  this 
prince,  who  was  fucceeded  by  Henry  IV,  a  protefkmt  of 
the  Bourbon  branch,  and  king  of  Navarre. 

Beza  loft  his  wife  in  1588;  but  this  domeftic  affliction 
did  not  prevent  him  from  going  to  the  fynod  at  Bern, 
where  the  doctrine  of  Samuel  Huberus,  concerning  our 
justification,  which,  he  faid,  confifted  in  an  inherent 
quality,  was  condemned.  Beza  grieved  for  his  wife,  who 
has  been  praifed  for  feveral  good  qualities,  and  chiefly  for 
her  conjugal  affection  ;  he  was  now  near  feventy ;  yet, 
the  fame  year,  he  was  married  again  to  a  widow,  who 
furvived  him.  The  name  of  this  fecond  wife  was  Catha- 
rine de  la  Plane,  who  alio  took  care  of  him  as  long  as  he 
lived. 

The  inconveniences  of  eld  age  began  to  come  upon 
him  in  1597,  and  obliged  him  to  fpeak-  but  feldom  in 
public. 

The  laft  time  that  Beza  preached  was  on  the  day  that 
peace  was  proclaimed  in  1598,  when  he  expounded    the 

eighty- 


B     E     Z     A.  313 

eighty-fifth  Pfalrri,  thou  baft  made  peace.  Lord,  'with  thy 
!  .  The  laft  vcrfes  which  he  compofed  were  a  Con- 
gratulatory offering,  to  Henry  IV.  after  he  had  been 
kindly  received  by  that  monarch  near  Geneva,  in  the 
month  of  December,  ifioc  1  he  king  had  been  obl'ge'd 
to  embrace  the  RoinHh  religion  in  1593  :  But,  in  1598, 
he  published  an  edicl  at  Nantz,  to  quiet  the  minds  of  the 
proieftaitfs,  by  feciiring  to  them  theTree  exercife  of  their 
religion.  He  concluded  a  peace  with  Spain  at  Vervins, 
and  then  attacked  the  duke  of  Savoy,  whofe  dominions 
he  had  almoit  conquered,  and  lay  encamped  at  St.  Catha- 
rine's-fort;  about  two  leagues  diitant  from  Geneva,  when 
he  received  the  deputies  at  Luyfel,  a  quarter  of  a  league 
from  the  fort.  Dr.  Spon  reports  the  fpeech  which  Beza 
made  to  the  prince,  and  the  king's  anfvver.  Beza  praised 
the  piety  of  Henry,  in  refcuing  the  churches  of  GOD 
from  oppredion  ;  and  contented  himfelf  in  "  faying  and 
"  applying  to  human  things,  what  Simon  laid  of  divine, 
"  i\o\v,  Lord,  let  they  fervant  depart  hi  peace,  according  to 
l<  thy  word ;  feeing  that  mine  eyes  have  feen,  before  I 
(i  die,  not  only  the  deliverer  of  us,  but  of  all  France, 
t(  and  of  the  faithful  in  general."  The  king  ardwered, 
4  Father,  thefe  few  words,  which  dignify  much,  are  wor- 
*   thy  the  reputation  you  have  acquired. ' 

Beza  preferved  his  fenfes  to  the  lad  day  of  his  life. 
His  memory  was  very  good  as  to  things  which  he  had 
learnt,  during  the  vigor  of  his  mind ;  for  he  could  repeat 
all  the  Pfalms  in  Hebrew,  and  all  St.  Paul's  epiitles  in 
Greek,  by  heart :  But  it  was  very  bad  as  to  things  pre- 
fent;  for  he  foon  forgot  many  things,  of  which  he  had 
been  fpeaking.  He  continued  in  this  condition  almoft 
two  years,  if  we  may  brlieve  I "huanns  :  And  Cafaubon 
affirms,  that,  in  point  of  erudition.  Beza  (hewed  himfelf, 
in  the  1  iter  years  of  his  life,  fuch  as  he  had  appeared 
twenty  years  before.  He  difepurfed  fo  clearly  upon  an- 
cient hiibon  ,  that  it  fee  ne  .  3  if  lie  b  >een  reading 
PI  utarch,  and  the  like  authors ;  But,  after  havingtamply 
k  d  difcourfed 


3*4  B     E     Z     A. 

difcourfed  on  the  fubject  of  the  new  king  of  England,  he 
would  often  aik,  in  the  fame  converfation,  whether  it 
was  true  that  £).  Elizabeth  was  dead.  His  laft  fermou 
was  preached  in  January,  1600,  when  he  was  eighty -one 
years  of  age,  on  thefe  words ;  Thy  will  be  done  on  earth,  as 
it  is  in  heaven*  In  his  laft  illnefs  he  was  afflicted  with 
tedious  watchings,  lying  awake  all  the  night;  but  he 
fweetened  the  time  by  holy  meditations  :  And  (peaking  to 
his  friends  of  it,  he  ufed  the  words  of  the  pfalmift :  My 
reins  alfo  injiru6i  me  in  the  night  feafon*  I  have  fet  the 
Lord  always  before  me*  In  his  favour  is  life.  My  foul  is 
fatisfiedds  with  marrow  and  fatnefs,  when  I  remember  thee 
upon  my  bed,  and  meditate  on  thee  in  the  night  watches*  He 
often  uied  the  words  of  the  apoflle  ;  We  are  his workman- 
Jhip,  created  in  Chriff  Jefus  to  good  works*  Likewife  thofe 
of  St.  Auguftine  ;   i  I  have  lived  long,  I  have  finned  long  : 

*  Bleffed  be  the  name  of  the  Lord.'  He  often  repeated 
the  following  prayer ;  "  Cover,  Lord,  what  has  been : 
"  Govern  what  mall  be..  O  perfect  that  which  thou  haft 
i(  begun,  that  I  fufFer  not  fhipwreck  in  the  haven.'-' 
Likewife  from  Bernard  :  ?  Lord,  we  follow  thee,  through 

*  thee,  unto  thee  :  We  follow  thee,  becaufe  thou  art  the 
c  truth  ;  through  thee,  becaufe  thou  art  the  way  :  and  to 
4  thee,  becaufe  thou  art  the  life.' — On  the  Lord's  day  in 
the  morning,  October  13,  herofe  and  prayed  with  his  fa- 
mily ;  and  then  defiring  to  go  to  bed  again,  he  fat  down 
on  the  fide  of  the  bed  and  afked  ;  "  if  all  things  were 
"  quiet  in  the  city  ?" — He  was  anfvvered,  '  They  were.5 
And  being  perceived  to  be  near  his  end,  a  minifter  was 
lent  for  and  immediately  came;  and  while  he  was  praying 
with  him,  Beza,  without  the  leaft  pain  or  noife,  yielded 
up  his  fpirit  to  GOD,  in  the  year  1605,  aged  eighty-fix 
years,  three  months,  and  nineteen  days,. 

Beza  in  his  younger  years,  after  the  Lord  had  touched 
his  heart  by  the  word,  was  one  day  in  the  church  of  Cha- 
renton,  where  he   providentially  heard   the  ninety-firft 

Pfalm 


B    E    £    A.  315 

1 

Pfalm  expounded.  It  was  followed  with  fuch  power  to 
him,  that  he  not  only  found  it  Tweet  at  prefent,  but  was 
enabled  to  believe  that  the  Lord  would  fulfil  to  him  all 
the  promifeo  of  that  Pialm.  At  his  death,  he  declared  to 
his  chriftian  friends,  that  he  had  found  it  fo  indeed  !  That 
as  he  had  been  enabled  toclofe  with  the  fecond  verfe,  in 
taking  rhe  Lord  for  his  GOD,  and  got  a  fure  claim  that 
he  ihould  be  his  rtfuge  and  fort refs  ;  fo  he  had  found  re- 
markably in  the  after  changes  of  his  life,  that  the  Lord 
had  delivered  him  from  the  fn  are  of  the  fowler  \  for  he  had 
been  in  frequent  hazard  by  the  lying  in  wait  of  many  to 
enihare  him  :  And  from  the  noifome pefiilence  ;  for  he  was 
fometimes  in  great  hazard  from  the  peitilence,  in  thofe 
places  where  he  was  called  to  relide.  And  amidft  the 
civil  wars  which  were  then  fc  hot  in  France,  he  had  molt 
convincing  deliverances  from  many  imminent  hazards, 
when  he  was  called  to  be  prefent  fometimes  with  the- 
proteitant  princes  upon  the  field,  where  thoufands  did  fall 
about  him.  And  thus,  when  near  his  end,  he  found 
that  Pialm  fo  obfervabiy  verified,  on  which  he  was  cauied 
to  hope,  that  he  went  through  all  thefe  promifes,  declar- 
ing the  comfortable  accomplifhment  of  them.  How  he 
had  found  the  Lord  giving  his  angels  charge  over  him,  of- 
ten answering  him  when  he  called  itpon  him ;  how  he  had 
been  with  him  in  trouble,  had  delivered  him,  and  had  fatis. 
fed  him  with  long  life*  w  And  now  (fays  he),  I  have  no 
"  more  to  wait  for,  but  the  fulfilling  of  thefe  laft  words 
"  of  the  Pfalm,  /  will  fljexv  him  my  falvation  ;  which 
with  confidence  I  long  for." 

He  was  a  robuft  man,  and  of  a  ftrong  constitution ; 
and,  what  is  very  unufual  among  hard  fludents,  never  felt 
the  head-ach. 

In  his  laft  will  he  exprefled  his  thankfulnefs,  "  That 
"  GOD  had  called  him  to  the  knowledge  of  the  truth  at 
11  iixteen  years  of  age  ;  though  he  walked  not  anfwera- 
P  bly  to  it,  till  the  Lord  in  mercy  brought  him  home  and 

*6  carried 


3*6  B     E    Z    A- 

"  carried  him  to  Geneva,  where  under  that  great  man 
"  Calvin,  he  learned  Chrift  more  fully  :  That  having 
"  returned  to  Geneva,  after  many  dangers,  he  was  there 
"  chofen  paftor,  while  he  deferved  not  to  be  one  of  the 
"  fheep  :  That  not  long  after,  he  v/as  made  colleague 
"  with  that  excellent  man,  John  Calvin,  in  reading  di- 
"  vinity  ;  and  that  God  had  preferved  him  in  manifold 
"  dangers." 

He  never  had  any  children ;  and  he  left  Catharine  de 
la  Plane,  his  wife,  who  fupported  his  old  age,  and  placed 
all  her  glory  in  taking  the  greatelt  care  of  him  for 
feventeen  years,  fole  heirefs  of  his  eftate  at  Geneva.  Ke 
was  interred  in  St.  Peter's  cloifter,  and  not  in  the  bury- 
ing-place  of  the  Plein-palaix  ;  becaufe  the  Savoyards  gave 
out,  that  they  would  take  up  his  corps,  and  fend  it  to 
Rome. 

Beza  was  a  man  of  extraordinary  merit,  and  very  m- 
ftrumenfal  in  conducting  the  reformation.  Be  was 
looked  upon  as  the  chief  of  the  protectants  of  France  and 
Switzerland.  The  Romanifts  commonly  called  him  the 
Hugbnot  pope  :  And  pope  Sixtus  V.  caufed  tvo  confer- 
ences to  be  held,  at  which  himfclf  waspreient,  to  delibe- 
rate about  the  means  of  depriving  the  protectant  party  of 
the  great  fupport  they  had  in  the  perfon  of  Beza.  1  hey 
would  have  afia  (Filiated,  or  poifoned  him,  if  it  had  been 
hie  that  any  enterprize  againfc  his  perfon  could  iuc- 
ceed.  What  could  be  faid  more  to  the  honour  of  this 
mmifter,  than  the  reprefenting  him  as  a  man  who  made 
the  pope  and  cardinals  uneaiy,  as  to  affairs  of  itate  ;  for 
there  was  no  controverfy  in  the  cafe? 

He  wrote  a  great  number  of  books,  particularly  the 
(i  Memories  of  illuftrious  perfons,  who  afiifted  in  the 
reformation  ;  and  the  ecclefiaftical  hifbor.y  of  the  refor- 
med churches."  This  laft  work  is  very  curious,  and  ex- 
tends from  152 1,  to  the  thirteenth  of  March,  1563. 
His  Annotations  upon .  the  New  Teftanient  have   ever 

been 


B     E     Z     A.  317 

been  much  efteemed.  Our  archbifhop  Grindal,  to  whom 
Beza  prefentecl  a  copy,  gave  them  very  particular  com- 
mendations 1  and  indeed,  for  their  learning  and  piety, 
they  are  invaluable.  - 


^^=====— =====*^==^ 


FRANCIS     JUNIUS. 


LEARNING  to  grace  is  a  ufeful  handmaid,  and  by 
no  means  to  be  contemned,  particularly  not  by 
thole,  who  becaufe  they  do  not  know,  affect  to  defpile 
her:  But  learning,  when  indeed  (he  affumes  the  room  of 
grace,  makes  but  a  poor  and  proud  mifcrefs,  and,  inflead 
of  leading  the  foul  to  GOD  and  happinefs,  turns  it  into 
the  world  after  low  and  fordid  objects.  The  great  utili- 
ty of  learning  in  proper  fubfervience  is  fully  exemplified 
by  the  life  and  conduct  of  Junius.  Before  he  knew  GOD 
in  truth,  his  great  knowledge  only  led  him  to  confider 
himfelf:  But,  after  the  gracious  change  had  palled  upon 
him,  he  feemed  to  value  all  his  attainments  from  theu'.es. 
alone  to  which  they  might  be  applied  in  the  caufe  of  GOD 
and  falvation. 

This  extraordinary  man  was  defcended  of  a  noble  fa- 
mily in  Trance,  and  was  born  at  Bourges  in  the  centre  of 
that  kingdom  on  the  firftof  May,  in  the  year  1545-     His 
D  d  2  mother 


3i8  JUNIUS. 

mother  had  a  moft  difficult  labour  ;  and  her  life,  together 
with  that  of  her  moil:  valuable  fon,  was  for  fome  time 
quite  defpaired  of.  He  was  long  afterwards  fo  infirm 
and  weakly,  that  his  friends  never  expecled  his  continu- 
ance to  manhood  ;  though,  as  it  proved,  he  furvived  moft- 
of  his  family.  His  conititutional  infirmity  was  increaied 
by  an  exceffive  and  over-weening  care  in  nurfing  ;  and, 
at  length,  the  morbid  matter,  either  the  caufe  of  his 
inceflant  diforders,  or  the  confequence  of  them,  termina- 
ted in  an  ulcer  of  the  leg,  which,  though  healed,  was 
always  affected  by  any  occurring  ailments  to  the  end  of 
his  days. 

Under  a  very  kind  and  learned  father,  who  gave  him 
as  much  time  as  he  could  fpare,  he  received  the  rudiments 
of  his  education.  His  parents  did  not  choofe  to  venture 
him  at  a  public  fchool,  on  account  of  his  weaknefs  and 
infirmity.  Yet,  with  all  this  weight  of  diforder,  in  his 
moft  tender  age  he  discovered  great  wit  and  parts,  and  a 
certain  hilarity  of  difpoiition,  which  often  created  much 
amulement,  as  well  as  expectation  to  his  friends.  He 
difcovered  early  a  highfenfe  of  honour  and  love  of  fame, 
a  great  quicknefs  of  temper,  and  for  his  age  a  very  folid 
judgment  in  matters  which  came  before  him,  infomuch 
that  his  mother  ufed  jeftingly  to  lay  of  him,  '  that  he 
'  certainly  would  be  another  Socrates.7  He  had  likewiie 
fuch  an  invincible  modelty,  that,  throughout  his  life,  he 
appeared  to  common  observers  under  a  peculiar  diiadvan- 
tage,  and  could  fcarce  fpeak  upon  the  moft  common  fub- 
jects  with  ftrangers  without  afuffufion  in  his  countenance. 
In  this  refped  he  feems  to  have  equalled  the  famous 
Mr.  Addifon,  who  like  wife  was  at  once  one  of  the  great- 
eft  fcholars,  as  well  as  the  moft  abaihed  and  modeft  man 
of  his  time. 

About  the  twelfth  year  of  his  -age,  Junius  quitted  the 
private  education  of  a  tender  father  for  the  public  one 
c£  a  fchool  j  as  a  preparation   for  the  ftflidy  of  the  civil 

law, 


JUNIUS.  319 

law,  for  which  he  was  defigncd.  His  friends,  indeed, 
wilhed  him  for  ro  profetiue  his  fortune  at  court  ;  but  his 
love  of  learning  and  the  balhfuhiefs  of  his  temper  foon  di- 
verted that  deiign.  He  had  the  happinefs  of  impetuous 
and  tyrannical  preceptors,  who,  if  his  love  of  letters  had 
not  been  uncommonly  ardent,  were  fufficient  to  have  ex- 
tinguifned  it ;  as  hath  been  too  often  the  cafe  in  many 
others.  The  lead  fault  or  error,  which  Junius  commit- 
ted (and  which  the  Brft  geniufes  in  the  world  cannot  but 
commit)  in  attaining  knowledge,  was  only  to  be  atoned 
for  by  {tripes  ;  and  with  fuch  itupid  and  illiberal  feveritv 
was  this  conduct  purfucd,  that  one  of  the  moil  hopeful 
boys  of  the  age  was  often  flogged  feven  or  eight  times  in 
a  day,  and  often  beat  upon  the  ground  too  in  the  harfh- 
eft  manner-  Such  brutes  of  teachers  are  fit  only  to  pre- 
fide  over  the  galleys,  or  to  difciplme  mifcreants  in  a  r.ri- 
fon,  fnftead  of  training  up  the  tender  mind  to  the  love  of 
fcience  and  truth !  Yet  all  this  did  not  abate  the  ardor  of 
Junius's  mind  for  knowledge,  nor  tempt  him  once  to 
difclofe  his  fevere  and  barbarous  ufage  to  his  friends. 

After  fome  time,  he  was  removed  to  Lyons  for  his  far- 
ther improvement  in  knowledge-  Here  he  had  great  lei- 
fure,  and  as  many  books  as  he  could  denre,  which  he 
began  to  read  with  immenfe  avidity  ;  not  felfefiing  his 
authors,  but  taking  them  indifcriminately  as  they  fell  in 
his  way.  The  prefident  of  the  college,  Bartholomew 
Anulus,  obferving  this  wild  purfuit,  took  an  opportunity 
of  hinting  to  him  its  impropriety  and  wafte  of  time,  af- 
furing  him,  '  that  he  would  rather  injure  than  inform  his 

*  mind  by  that  mode  of  reading ;   that,   on  the  contrary; 

*  he  ihould  have  fome  propofed  end  before  his  eyes  in  the 
'  courfe  of  his  frudies,  to  which  they  ihould  be  princi- 
'  pally  directed  ;   and  that  neither  the  life   of   man,  nor 

*  the  mind  of  man,  would  iufilce  for  all  kinds  of  learning 
1  at  once,  but  the  attempt  might  ihorten  the  one  while 

«  it 


329  J     U     N     I     U     3/ 

4  it  only  confounded  the  other.'     This  caution  he  ne\7ei* 
forgot^  but  found  it  of  ufe  to  him  ever  afterwards. 

Lyons  was  then,  as  well  as  fmce,  a  -very  diflblute  city  • 
and  tiie  placing  a  raw  youth  there,  without  the  authority 
of  parents  or  guardians,  who  could  take  care  of  his  morals 
(as  was  the  cafe  with  Junius),  was  expofing  him  .to  a 
torrent  of  temptations.  Two  women,  in  particular, 
having  conceived  a  regard  for  his  perfon,  haunted  him 
with  oblique  testimonies  of  their  affection,  and,  forgetting 
the  modeily  of  their  fex,  purfued  him  with  their  folicita- 
tions.  Whether  from  averiion  to  their  indecent  conduct, 
or  from  the  natural  baihfuinefs  of  his  temper*  GOD's 
providence  however  preferved  him  from  fedueVion  ;  and 
he  overcame  this  temptation.  But  he  fell  under  a  fad 
temptation  of  another  kind,  till  the  mercy  of  GOD  re- 
ilored  him.  This  evil  was  neither  more  nor  lefs  than 
downright  Atheiim.  into  the  efpoufal  of  which  he  was 
'drawn  by  the  fophiftry  of  a  bad  companion,  and  his  own 
uadifcretion  or  inexperience.  Junius  was  reading  Tully's 
book  upon  laws,  in  which  the  vile  proportion  of  Epicu- 
rus is  cited,  <  That  God  is  without  all  care  both  for  his 
*  own  affairs,  and  for  thofe  of  other  beings.'  His  evil 
counfellor  had  adopted  this  maxim,  and  by  every  argu- 
ment of  a  wicked  wit  inculcated  it  upon  Junius.  He  had 
fo  inculcated  it,  that  his  young  friend  became  rooted  in 
the  principle,  and  as  complete  an  Atheift  as  himfelf. 

For  more  than  a  year,  did  our  Atheift  maintain  his 
prcfellion,  and  with  fo  much  opennefs,  that  it  appears 
to  have  been  known  by  all  who  knew  him.  A  tumult 
that  occurred  at  Lyons,  firft  fbggered  him  in  his  new  opi- 
nion. He  was  wonderfully  preferved  in  the  commotion  ; 
and  he  began  to  fee,  that  there  was  plainly  fomething 
that  looked  very  much  like  an  over-ruling  providence. 
About  the  fame  time,  his  father,,  bavin g'been  informed 
of  the  alarming  ftate  of  his  fon's  mindj  fent  for  him,  and, 
with  the  utmeft  tendernefs,  learning,   and  piety,  invited 

him 


JUNIUS.  3ax 

him  to  read  over  the  New  Teftament  with  attention,  and 
confer  with  him  upon  it.  He  obeyed  his  father's  direc- 
tion ;  and  it  pleated  GOD  to  open  his  eyes  to  a  full 
view  of  the  abominable  notions,  which  he  had  aiopted. 
The  firit  chapter  of  St.  John's  gofpel,  which  he  began 
upon,  was  made  the  happy  means  of  this  revolution  of 
mind,  lie  was  (truck  with  the  dignity  of  the  expreilion, 
and  the  weight  of  the  matter,  lie  fays  of  himfelf,  "  I 
"  read  part  of  the  chapter,  and  was  fo  improved  with 
"  what  I  read,  that  I  could  not  but  perceive  the  divini- 
"  ty  of  the  fubject  and  the  authority  and  majedy  of  the 
"  fcriptures,  to  furpafs  greatly  all  human  eloquence.  I 
"  Ihuddered  in  my  body  with  horror  at  myfelf ;  my  foul 
"  was  aftoniihed  ;  and  I  was  foitrongly  affected  all  that 
day,  that  1  fcarce  knew  who, or  what,  or  where  I  was. 
But  :bou,0  Lord  my  God,  dkitt  remember  me  in  thy 
wonderful  mercy,  and  didil  receive  a  loll  and  wander- 
ing  fiieep  into  thy  flock !  From  that  time,  when  the 
Lord  had  granted  me  fo  great  a  portion  of  his  holy 
Spirit,  1  began  to  read  the  bible,  and  treat  other  books- 


n 

<< 
a 
<< 
<< 

a 

"  with  more  coldnefs  and  indifference,  and  to  reflect 
"  more  upon  and  be  much  more  converfaot  with  the 
M  things  that  relate  to  falyation.' 

From  that  time,  the  world  and  its  purfuits  appeared 
vain  and  infipid  to  Junius ;  and  the  things  of  GOO  and 
of  heaven  engaged  his  whole  concern.  His  father  was 
rejoiced  enough  at  the  happy  change,  but  iiill  intended 
hi  .1  lor  the  civil  law  and  human  affairs.  The  inclination 
of  the  fon  ibared  higher  ;  and,  by  permiilion  and  con- 
lent  of  his  father,  he  went  to  Geneva,  with  a  view  of 
iludying  divinity  and  the  languages,  about  the  time  of 
thefirft  breaking  out  of  the  civil  war  in  France.  He  was 
difmiffed  with  a  fupply  of  money,  fufficient  for  his  pre- 
fent  occallons  ;  and  his  father  promiied  to  remit  him  in 
future,  what  might  beneceffary,  but  was  not  able  through 


pi  j  u  n  i   v  g, 

the  public  commotions.  Thus  ill-provided  with  fubfinv 
ence,  he  could  onlypurchafe  four  books  ;  and  thefe  were, 
the  holy  bible,  Calvin?s  inditutes,  Beza's  confeffion, 
and  Cevallerigs's  Hebrew  grammar  ;  which  engaged  him 
for  a  year.  Within  this  fpace,  he  was  prevailed  upon  to- 
accompany  a  party,  who  were  making  an  excurfion  into 
Switzerland,  juft  when  his  little  ftock  was  almoft  ex- 
hausted. In  this  tour,  which  larted  three  weeks,  Junius 
made  an  acquaintance  with  Mufculus,  Haller,  Peter 
Martyr,  Eullinger,  Farrel,  &o  who  were  all  at  that  time 
in  the  cantons.  When  he  returned  to  Geneva  he  had 
fcarce  any  money  left,  and  for  leven  or  eight  months 
afterwards  he  received  none  from  his  friends.  His  ex- 
ceihve  modefty  forbad  him  to  borrow,  and  therefore  he 
formed  a  fcheme  of  living  hard.  He  determined  with 
himfelf  to  employ  one  day  as  a  labourer  on  the  fortifica- 
tions, for  his  fubfiftence,  the  other  to  engage  in  hi*  Stu- 
dies. What  a  fight  f  to  look  upon  a  burgher  of  fordid 
views  and  attainments  wallowing  in  the  fulnefs  of  bread, 
contrailed  with  one  of  the  moft  learned  and  pious,  and 
valuable  of  men,  deflitute  of  neceffaries,  and  working  like 
a  flave  for  thrs  burgher's  fecurity  !  If  the  faith  of  Juni- 
us had  not  been  fecured  on  the  rock,  the  devil  might 
probably  have  furniihed  him  with  an  argument  from  hence 
for  his  atheifm,  by  which  he  has  puzzled  thoufands. 

But  if  providence  tried  Junius's  faith  upon  this  account^ 
k  did  not  leave  him  long  without  a  teftimony  of  its  care» 
For  a  countryman  of  his  was  put  in  his  way,  whole  mo- 
ther, being  left  a  widow  with  a  numerous  offspring,  had 
often  been  aiMed  in  her  neceifities  by  Junius's  pa- 
rents ;  and  this  man  very  gratefully  embraced  the  op- 
portunity of  acknowledging  his  obligation.  Here  indeed 
was  bread  f own  upon  the  waters,  and  found  again  after  ma- 
ny days.  He  lodged,  he  boarded,  and  did  for  his  benefac- 
tor's fon,  all  that  was  in  his  power  to  do.  .  On  the  other 
hand,  Junius,  feeling  for  the  burden  and  inconveriiences- 

whichi 


j   v   n  i    a   &.  323 

-which  his  grateful  friend  chearfully  underwent  upon  his 
account,  endeavoured  to  make  that  burden  as  light  as 
poflible  ;  and,  out  of  a  quick  fenfe  of  delicacy,  ahnoft 
wholly  abllained  from  the  food  procured  by  the  laborious 
induitry  of  his  hoft.  He  abode  with  him  near  ieven, 
months ;  and,  for  four  of  the  ieven,  conitantly  took 
care  to  be  from  home  at  dinner-time,  which  he  fpent 
in  walkng,  meditation,  and  prayer.  In  the  evenings 
he  eat  a  couple  of  eggs,  and  drank  a  fmall  cup  of 
the  petit  inn  or  low  wine,  which  is  the  common 
beverage  of  that  country,  as  beer  is  with  us  ;  and  all  this, 
that  he  might  not  be  too  chargeable  to  his  kind  benefac- 
tor. His  modefty  and  extreme  delicacy,  however,  coil 
him  dear  ;  for  by  this  over  abitemicus  kind  of  life,  he 
contracted  a  decline,  which  almoft  dehroyed  his  tender 
frame.  Providence  again  interpofed  in  this  emergency  ; 
for,  by  the  alfutance  of  his  friends,  and,  at  length,  by  the 
remittance  of  a  fum  of  money  from  his  father,  he  was 
enabled  to  adopt  a  better  regimen  and  to  life  iuch  means 
as  wholy  recovered  him. 

Mr.  Leigh,  in  his  treatife  of  religion  and  learning, 
quotes  from  Junius  himfelf,  that  he  received  a  mod  cour- 
teous entertainment  from  a  countryman  (and  perhaps  the 
countryman  above-mentioned)  in  the  time  of  his  diitrefs, 
and  adds  another  circumftance  which  is  wholly  omitted 
by  Melchior  Adam  and  other  biographers.  He  relates  it  ia 
Junius's  own  words  :  "Here  (O  wonderful  wifdom  of  God!) 
"  my  mailer  had  prepared  for  me  the  beft  fchool  of  true 
u  religion  I  ever  found  in  my  life.  For  God  fo  wrought 
"  upon  my  foul  by  the  ardent  and  zealous  piety  of  this 
x<  poor  good  man,  that  a  portion  of  the  fame  divine  fer- 
"  vor  was  imparted  through  him  to  me  ;  while  I,  in  the 
u  comparifon,  a  very  indifferent  chriilian,  was  made  ufe- 
"  ful  to  him  in  the  communication  of  other  knowledge. 
fi  Upon  both  of  us,  at  one  and  the  fame  time  the  Lord 
u  beilowed  an  increafe  of  his  mercy  and  grace ;  upon  my 

«  iimple 


324  J     U     N     I     U     S. 

**  fimple  countryman,  by  enabling  me  to  enlighten  lifs 
"*  head;  and  upon  me,  by  enabling  him  to  kindle  a  flame 
**  of  zeal  in  my  heart." 1  he  tranfparent  piety,  humi- 
lity, and  mooefty  of  this  acknowledgement  needs  no  com- 
ment. This  man  of  learning  had,  through  grace,  fol- 
lowed the  ap  of  tie's  rule,  and  became  a  fool  in  his  own 
eyes,  that  be  might  be  wife  indeed,  not  for  the  puny  con- 
cerns of  time  and  the  world,  but  to  everlafting  falvation. 

It  being  contrary  to  the  plan  of  life,  which  Junius's 
father  had  intended,  that  he  mould  Itudy  divinity,  he 
wrote  for  him  to  return  home.  He  vvilhed  his  ion  might 
be  religious  ;  but  he  did  not  wim  him  to  be  a  preacher. 
This  recjuced  Junius  to  a  difagreeable  dilemma,  out  of 
which  he  was  much  relieved  by  the  mterpcfition  of  a 
pious  and  learned  friend  of  his  father,  who  explained  to 
him  the  neceflity  of  hisfon?s  remaining  longer  at  Geneva, 
for  the  fake  of  his  frudies.  In  the  interim,  an  awful 
providence  determined  the  affair.  At  IiToudon  in  Aqui- 
tain,  a  murdering  banditti  let  upon  Junius's  father,  and 
barbaroudy  bereaved  him  of  his  life. 

Upon  this  fad  new  s,  Junius  had  no  heart  to  return  to 
his  country,  but  wrote  a  moft  affecling  and  affectionate 
letter  to  his  mother,  condoling  with  her  upon  their  mu- 
tual lofs,  and  at  the  fame  time  begging  her  to  indulge  no 
anxiety  upon  his  account,  becaule  he  was  refolved  to  be 
no  burden  to  her,  but  to  truft  in  GOD's  blei'ling  upon 
his  own  induilry  for  h;s  future  maintenance  and  fupport. 
In  this  generous  and  tender  refclution,  he  took  upon 
him  to  ailiil  in  a  fchool,  under  a  minifter  of  the  goipel 
at  Geneva  ;  where,  in  the  day  time  he  taught  Latin, 
Greek,  and  Hebrew,  and,  for  great  part  of  the  night, 
puriued  his  own  proper  ftudies  in  divinity  and  philofophy. 
But  his  feeble  conftitution  could  not  endure  a  long  con- 
tinuance of  fuch  unremitted  labours,  which  at  once 
emaciated  his  body,  and  tended  to  impair  his  mind. 

About  this  period,  the  head- m  after  of  the  fchool  at 
Geneva  died,  and   the  chaplain  of  the    hofpital  fucceeded 

to 


JUNIUS.  -25 

to  him.  Thechaplainfhip  was  offered  to  Junius ;  but  he 
declined  it,  parti)  left  it  ftioald  hinder  his  itudies,  and 
partly  becaufe  he  did  not  wiih  to  Hk  liimlelf  for  the  pre- 
lent  at  Geneva.  In  the  year  1565,  however,  he  was 
made  minuter  of  the  Walloon  church  at  Antwerp,  which 
became  a  troublefome  and  dangerous  (ituation  to  him. 
The  Spaniards,  wlio  then  poflciled  the  Lo.<  Countries, 
were  about  to  eltabliih  the  inquifition,  to  which  the  prin- 
cipal people,  of  Bruffels  in  particular,  were  very  averfe, 
and  had  a  meeting  to  confer  upon  the  bed  mode  of  pre- 
venting the  erection  of  that  diabolical  tribunal.  To 
this  meeting  our  Junius  was  called,  and  readily  gave  his 

::ance,  both  by  his  prayers  and  advice.  -  His  wi'cioai 
always  inclined  him  to  moderation  ;  and  he  oppofed  not 
the  malicious  attempts  of  the  papiils,  but  the  un- 
bridled zeal  of  his  proteftant  friends,  who  were  fame- 
times  difpofed  to  go  lengths,  which  neither  religion  nor 
reaibn  could  juitify.  When  he  returned  to  Antwerp  he 
publiihed  fome  "  Political  Admonitions,"  which  gave 
great  offence  to  the  papiih.  A  reward  was  offered  for 
the  difcovery  and  apprehenfion  of  the  author;  though, 
it  feems,  in  this  very  paper,  he  had  blamed  the  intem- 
perance and  indifcreticn  of  the  reformed,  as  well  as  con- 
demned the  violent  proceedings  of  the  Roman  catholics. 
By  the  ilyle  and  manner,  Junius  was  fufpected  to  be  the 
author,  and  very  narrowly  cfcaped  from  the  deilgns  of 
his  enemies. 

With  all  this  love  of  moderation,  and  his  earneii  en- 
deavours to  inculcate  peace  among  others,  he  could  find 
none  for  himfelf.  He  was  perfeeuted  every  where,  and 
encountered  difficulties  and  dangers,  which  way  foever  he 
turned.  But  it  pleafed  GOD  wonderfully  to  preserve 
him,  for  his  own  glory  and  the  good  of  fouls.  A  rape 
of  reformation  (as  an  affair  of  novelty)  among  the  mob. 
not  the  fober  zeal  of  true  religion,  over-ran  the  Lo^v 
Countries  about  this  time,  and  drave  all  before  it.     The 


E  e  outr^eo^ 


326  JUNIUS. 

outrageous  multitudes  brake  into  the  churches,  and  f wept 
away  all  the  images.,  and  paintings,  and  every  "  rag  of 
"  the  whore  of  Babylon,"  before  them.  All  this  was 
done  with  the  furj  of  madmen,  inftead  of  the  orderly 
fpirit  pf  Chriftiaus*  This  conduct  difpleafed  Junius,  who 
was  concerned  for  the  difgrace  of  the  proteitant  caufe  ; 
and  he,  by  oppoling  it,  dii  plea  fed  many  among  the  re- 
formed, who  joined  with  the  papifts  themfelves  in  perfe- 
.cuting  him-  Wife  and  good  counfels,  oppofed  to  popu- 
lar outrage  and  tumult,  are  but  as  declamations  to  waves 
in  a  ftorm,  which  drown  all  other  founds  by  their  own 
noife,  and  dam  upon  every  thing  indifcriminately  which 
•refills  .them.  Men  of  peace  and  moderation  (and  truly 
religious  men  muft  be  fuch)  may  expect  this  treatment  in 
all  ages.  If  they  will  not  efpoufe  the  caufe  of  a  party 
with  the  rege  of  the  party  ;  the  furious  partizans  will 
not  thank  them  for  a  fober  adherence  and  advice,  but 
perhaps  will  be  the  firft  to  condemn  them.  Thus  the 
works  of  the  flejh  are  mingled  with  the  things  of  GOD, 
and  are  generally  fo  conducted  by  the  devil,  as  to  bring 
a  difgrace  upon  them. 

When  Junius  afterwards  returned  to  Antwerp,  he 
founjd  himfelf  excluded  from  the  duties  of  his  profellion, 
by  an  ordinance  of  (late,  which  enjoined,  that,  for  the 
prevention  of  fedition,  only  two  minifters  mould  be  al- 
lowed to  preach  there,  and  thofe  two  to  be  natives  of  the 
country,  who  mould  take  an  oath  of  allegiance  to  the 
prince.  Junius  was  .an  alien,  and  could  not  be  natural - 
zeu   1  he  would. 

From  Antwerp  he  went  to  Limbourg,  but  found,  like 
the  great  apoille,  that,  wherever  he  went,  perfecutions 
attended  hkn.  He  loft  his  library  and  all  his  goods  by 
the  removal.  His  labours  here  were  attended  with  fuch 
fuccefs,  that  new  and  new  dangers  arofe  upon  him  on 
every  fide.     In  the   mien:  of  which,  he  went  on  as  long 

as 


JUNIUS.  327 

he  could  with    any  degree  of  fafety ;  but   at  laft  wal 
obliged  to  fly,  to  preierve  his  life. 

While  he  lived  here,  he  was  made  atS  inilrument  of 
gracious  relief  to  a  poor  widow,  who  had  been  for  thir- 
teen years  exerciied  with  fpiritual  conflicts,  almoli  to 
defperation.  The  papiits,  imagining  that  ihe  was  pof- 
feiled,  plied  her  with  e.x.orcifms :  Her  friends,  believing. 
her  mad,  laid  on  blows  and  bonds.  She  broke  from  her 
bonds,  and  tool,;  to  the  woods,"  avoiding  the  light  of  man, 
leit  ihe  ihould  undergo  a  repetition  of  this  fort  of  difcip- 
line.  At  length  ihe  was  caught  and  brbnght  to  Junius, 
who  footi  difcovered  the  cauie  of  her  diibrder,  which 
arofe  from  the  fear  of  perdition  :  And  this  fear  fprang 
from  the  exceilive  attention  and  care  the  had  been  obliged 
to  pay  to  her  nine  fatherlefs  children,  which  had  takea 
her  otffrom  all  religious  duties,  and  in  particular  fro:  1  the 
Rials,  which  ihe  had  once  conilantly  frequented.  Our 
Divine,  perceiving  the  difeafe,  recurred  to  the  bible  for 
a  medicine,  from  which  he  ihewed  her  the  vain  pagean- 
try, idolatry,  and  corruption  of  the  papiitical  ndafs,  and 
at  the  fame  time,  after  laying  open  the  gofpel  of  falvation 
to  her  mind,  ihewed  to  her,  that  her  honeft  induftry  in 
behalf  of  her  children  was  far  more  acceptable  to  GOD, 
being  commanded  of  him,  than  ten  thoufand  idle  mafTes, 
wiwch  never  were  commanded.  In  inert,  lie  was  enabled 
tc-quiet  the  woman's  horrors,  and  to  give  that  balm  to  her 
conicience,  which  foon  difpelled  all  her  melancholy,  to- 
the  no  imall  aftoniihment  of  thole  who  had  known  her 
before. 

After  fome  time,  he  made  a  vifit  to  his  mother  and  fa-' 
mily  in  France  ;  and  from  thence  returning  to  Heidel- 
berg, was  appointed  minifcer  of  the  church  of  Schoon. 
1  his  was  but  a  final!  congregation;  and,  in  the  follow- 
ing year,  the  plague  appeared  among  the  people  and  made 
it  lets.  In  the  interim,  he  was  lent  by  the  elector  to  the 
prince  of  Orange's  army,  during  the  unfuaJetsful  cam- 


32-S  j     U     N     I     U     S. 

paign  of  1568,  and  continued  his  chaplain  till  the  elector's 
troops  returned  home,  when  he  refumed  his  church,  and 
continued  in  it  till  1573.  The  elector  feveral  times 
wifhedhim  to  return  to  his  chaplainlhip  in  the  army,  but 
it  was  fo  much  againft  Junius'*  inclination,  that  he  con- 
ftantly  excufed  himfeiffrcm  that  fervice. 

He  continued  labouring,  with  the  divine  blefling,  in 
the  Palatinate  till  about  the  year  1592,  and,  for  fome 
years  before  that  period,  had  been  engaged  with  the  learn- 
ed Tremeliius,  by  the  electors  command,  in  a  new  trans- 
lation of  the  Old  Teftanient  into  Latin — a  v.crk,  which 
will  do  them  honour,  asfcholars  and  divines,  to  the  end  of 
time. 

About  the  year  1581,  he  had  been  appointed  divinity 
profeilbr  of  the  univeriity  at  Heidelberg;  and  he  continu- 
ed in  thatftation,  till  he  took  the  opportunity  of  revifit- 
ing  France,  his  native  country,  under  the  patronage  of  the 
duke  de  Bouillon.  He  was  introduced  toFenry  the  fourth, 
who  lent  him  with  a  commiifion  into  Germany,  when 
took  an  opportunity  of  paying  his  grateful  refpects  to  the 
elector,  and  of  resigning  inform  his  profeffor's  chair. 

In  his  return  to  France,  he  panned  through  Holland, 
partly  for  the  fake  of  his  children,  and  partly  for  the  con- 
venience of  the  way  and  facility  of  correspondence.  When 
he  arrived  at  Ley  den,  the  univerfity  and  the  magistracy 
gave  him  a  molt  earneft  invitation  to  fix  himfelf  among 
them,  and  offered  him  the  divinity-chair ;  which,  by  the 
permilfion  of  the  French  king  (who  had  been  a  proteftant 
and  was  then  believed  to  be  one  in  difguife),  he  finally 
accepted  in  1592.  In  this  office  he  continued  till  his 
death,  filling  it  with  great  reputation  for  ten  years.  It 
was  a  ftation  of  labour  and  eminence  ;  and  he  laboured 
in  it  by  teaching  and  writing  moftincefiantly-  At  length, 
GOD  was  pleated  to  remove  this  faithful  fervant,  after 
a  life  of  trouble  and  difficulty,  by  the  plague  ;  which  ra- 
vaged through  Holland,'  and  had  jufl  before  carried  off 

his 


U     N     IJU     S.  329 

his  wife.  He  died  on  the  thirteenth  of  October,  in  the 
year  1602,  and  was  followed  to  the  grave,  with  the  tears 
of  the  univerfity  and  the  concern  of  all  good  men. 

In  his  lait  hours  he  had  great  compofure  and  confola- 
tion.  He  died,  as  he  had  lived,  fall  of  faith  in  the  fal- 
vation  of  Jefus.  When  the  celebrated  Francis  Gomar, 
his  friend  and  colleague,  viiited  him  near  his  end,  and 
propofedfeveralfcriptures  to  him  by  way  of  comfort;  he 
aniwered,  "  that  he  gave  himfelf  up  entirely  to  GOD — 
"  to  that  GOD  who  would  gracioufly  do  what  was  beft 
"  for  him  and  for  his  own  glory. "  When  his  diforder 
permitted,  he  fpent  his  remaining  moments  in  hearing 
particular  pailages  of  fcripture-read  to  him,  and  in  pour- 
ing out  his  foul  in  ardent  prayers.  And  when  his  friend 
Gomar  called  upon  him  on  afubfequent  day,  and  exhorted 
him,  {  that,  in  his  lait  extremity,  he  would  draw  for 
1  himfelf  out  of  that  treafury  of  comforts,  out  of  which 
1  he  had  fo  happily  drawn  for  others  ;  and  that,  in  par- 
S  ticular,  he  would  remember,  that  God  was  his  tender 
1  father  in  heaven,  ready  to  receive  him  ;  that  Chriitwas 
'  his  Saviour  ;  that  heaven  was  his  country  and  inherit- 
'  ance  ;  that  the  holy  Spirit  in  his  hear:  was  a  pledge  of 
''  all  this;  that  death  was  only  the  way  to  this  heaven 
'  and  life  immortal ;  and  that  by  faith  and  hope  he 
'  mould  rejoice  in  what  was  before  him  ;'  Junius  very 
earnefiiy  aniwered,  "  that  he  well  remembered  and  ob- 
"  i'erved  thofe  things,  which  he  had  taught  to  others  ; 
f*  drat  his  only  conhdence  and  flay  was  in  the  free  grace 
"  of  God  ;  and  that  he  was  allured,  God  would  perfect 
(t  what  remained  concerning  his  future  fai  anon."  Upon 
being  afked,  if  he  had  any  thing  particular  to  fay  about 
his  affairs,  he  aniwered,  "  that  he  could  think  but  very 
iS  iittie  of  periihing  things  at  that  time;"  and,  afcer  lav- 
ing that  in  his  public  duties  he  had  aimed,  as  far  as  he 
could,  at  the  glory  of  GOD  and  the  good  of  men,  he 
added,  "  that  with  refpect  to  all  other  things  he  entire) v 
"  committed  them  to  the  divine  providence." 

E  e  2 


(     330     ) 

Sir  MATTHEW  HALE,  Knt. 

LD.  CH.  JUSTICE  of   the  KING's  BENCH. 


THIS  great  luminary  of  the  law  was  bora  at  Aldcr- 
ly  in  Glouceflerihire,  on  the  nrft  of  November,  1 609. 
Ke  was.foon  deprived  of  the  happinefs  of  his  father's  care 
and  inftrucYion,  for  as  he  loft  his  mother  before  he  was 
three  years  old,  fo  his  father  died  before  he  was  five  • 
thus  early  was  he  caft  on  the  providence  of  GOD,. 
Great  care  was  taken  of  his  education  by  his  guardian, 
Anthony  Kingfcot,  of  Kingfcot,  Efq  \  who  intended  him 
for  a  divine,  and,  being  inclined  to  the  way  of  thofe  cal- 
led puritans,  put  him  to  fome  fchools  that  had  mafters  of 
that  fide.  In  the  feventeenth  year  of  his  age,  he  was 
fent  to  Magdalen-hall  in  Oxford,  where  Mr-  Obadiah 
Sedgwick  was  his  tutor.  He  was  an  extraordinary  pro- 
ficient at  fchool,  and  for  fome  time  at  Oxford  :  bat  the 
ftage-playens  coming  thither,  he  was  fo  much  corrupted 
by  feeing  many  plays,  that  he  almoft  wholly  forfook  his 
itudies.  By  this  he  not  only  loft  much  time,  but  found  that 
his  head  was.  thereby  filled  with  vain  images  of  things  ; 
and  being  afterwards  feniible  of  the  mifchief  of  this,  he  j 
reiolved    upon   his   coming  to  London,  never  to,  fee  a  j 

play  I 


HALE. 


play  again,  to  which    he  conitantiy    adheri  cor- 

ruption  of  a  \oung  man's  mind,  in  one  partici 
rally  draws  on    a  great  many  more  after  it ;  fo  He 
now  taken  off  from  iris  ftucUc.%   and  from    the 

portnient,  which  was  formerly  eminent  in 
far  beyond  his  years,  fet  himielf  to  many  vai 
incident  to  youth,  but  flill  preferred  his  outward 
pari:/,  with  great  probity  of  mind.  Pie  loVed  fine 
clothes,  and  delighted  much  in  company  :  And  being 
of  a  robuil  body,  he  was  a  great  matter  at  all  thn'e 
exercifes  that  required  much  ftrength.  He  alio  learned 
to  fence,  and  became  fo  expert  that  he  wonted  many 
matters  of  thofe  arts. 

He  now  was  fo  taken  with  martial  matters,  that  in- 
ftead  of  going  pn  in  his  dehgn  of  being  a  fcholar  or  a 
divine,  he  refolded  to  be  a  foldier  :  And  his  tuto:  . 
Obadiah  Sedgwick,  going  into  the  Low  Countries  chaplain 
to  the  renowned  lord  Vere,  he  refolved  to  ?q  along  with 
hin],  and  to  trail  a  pike  in  the  prince  of  Orange's  army  ; 
but  a  happy  (top  was  put  to  this  refoltftion,  which  . 
have  proved  {o  fatal  to  himfelf,  and  have  deprived  the 
age  of  the  great  example  he  gave,  and  the  bfeful  far 
he  afterwards  did  hi:-  country.  He  was  engaged  m  a  fuit 
of  law,  and  was  forced  to  leave  the  univerhty,  after  he 
had  been  there  three  fears,  and  20  to  London.  He  was 
recommended  toferjean*  Glanvtlle  for  his  coimfeilor,  and 
he  observing  in  him  a  clear  apprehension  of  things,  and 
a  iblid  judgment,  and  a  great  fitnefs  for  the  ftudy  of  the 
law,  took  pains  to  periuade  him  to  forfake  the  thoughts 
of  being  a  foldier,  and  to  apply  to  the  feud y  oc  the  law. 
He  was  prevailed  on,  and  on  the  eighth  of  November 
1629,  in  the  twenty-firft  year  of  his  ago,  he  was  ad- 
mitted into  Lincoln's-inn  :  And  being  then  deeply  fenfibfe 
how  much  time  he  had  loft,  and  that  idle  and  vain 
things  had  over-run  and  almoit  corrupted  his  mind,  he 
refolved    to  redeem  the    time.  •  his  ftudies 

with 


33*  H     A     L-L. 

with  a  diligence,  which  could  fcarce  be  believed,  if  tne' 
fieri  al  effects  of  it  did  not  gain  credit  to  it.  He  ftudied 
for  many  years  at  the  rate  of  fixteen  hours  a  day  :  He 
threw  afide  all  fine  clothes,  and  betook  himfelf  to  a  plain 
falhion,  which  he  continued  to  ufe  in  many  points  to  his 
dying  day.  It  is  related,  that  palling  from  the  extreme 
of  vanity  in  his  apparel,  to  that  of  neglecting  himfelf  too 
much,  he  was  once  taken  when  there  was  a  prefs  for  the 
king's  fervice,  as  a  fit  perfon  for  it.-  But  fome  that  knew 
him  coming  by,  and  giving  notice  who  he  was,  the  prefs* 
men  let  him  go,  and  he  returned  to  more  decency  in 
his  drefs,  but  never  to  fuperfluity  or  vanity.  Yet  he 
did  not  at  firlt  break  off  from  keeping  too  much  company 
with  fome  vain  perfdns,  till  a  fad  accident  drove  him  from 
it.  He  was  invited,  with  other  young  ftudents,  to  be 
merry  out  of  town,  and  one  of  the  company  called  for 
fo  much  wine,  that,  nctwithftanding  all  Mr.  Hale  could 
do  to  prevent  k,  he  went  on  in  his  excefs-,  till  he  fell 
down  as  dead  before  them,  fo  that  all  that  were  prefent 
were  not  a  little  affrighted  at  it,  who  did  what  they  could 
to  bring  him  to  himielf  again  :  This  particularly  affected 
Mr-  Hale,  who  thereupon  went  into  another  room,  and 
{hutting  the  door  fell  on  his  knees,  and  prayed  earneitly 
to  GOD,  both  for  his  friend,  that  he  might  be  reitored 
to  life  again,  and  that  himfelf  might  be  forgiven,  for 
giving  fuch  countenance  to  fo  much  excefs  :  And  he  vow- 
ed to  GOD,  that  he  would  never  again  keep  company 
in  that  manner,  nor  drink  a  health  while  he  lived :  His 
friend  recovered,  and  he  mod  religiouily  obferved  his 
vow  to  his  dying  day  ;  though  he  was  fometimes  rough- 
ly treated  for  this,  which  fome  hot  and  indilcreet  men 
called  obftinacy. 

'. .Cow  was  an  entire  change  wrought  on  him  ;  trow  he 
forfook  all  vain  "company,  and  divided  himielf  between 
the  duties  of  religion,  and  the  ftudies  of  his  profeflion  ; 
in  the  former  he    was  fo  regular,  that  for-  fix  aad  thirty 

ryearsa 


HAL    E.  333 

5*ears,  he  never  once  failed  going  to  church  on  the  Lord's 
day  ;  this  obfervation  he  made,  when  an  ague  firft  inter- 
rupted that  conitant  courfe,  and  he  reflected  on  it  as  an 
acknowledgement  of  GOD'S  great  goodnefs  to    him,  in 

i'o  long  a  continuance  of  his  health. 

It  is  obferved,  that  Sir  Matthew  Hale,  from  the  firft 
time  that  impreilions  of  religion  fettled  deeply  in  his  mind, 
ufed  «n*eat  caution  to  conceal  it — for  he  fold,  he  was  a- 
fraid,  that  he  mould  at  ibme  time  or  other,  do  lone  en- 
ormous thing,  which  if  lie  were  looked  on  as  a  very  reli- 
gious man,  might  ca<t  a  reproach  on  the  profefiion  of  it, 
and  give  great  advantages  to  impious  men  to  bhfpUeme 
■the  name  of  God  :  but  the  tree  is  known  by  its  fruits,  and 
he  not  only  lived  free  of  blemiihes,  orfcandal,  buclhined 
in  all  parts  of  his  conversation  ;  and  perhaps  the  diitruft 
he  was  in  of  himlelf,  contributed  not  a  little  to  the  puri- 
ty of  his  life,  for  he  being  thereby  obliged  to  be  more 
watchful  over  himielf,  and  to  depend  more  on  the  aid  of 
the  Spirit  of  God,  no  wonder  if  that  humble  temper  pro- 
duced thofe  excellent  effects  in  him. 

Not  being  fatistied  with  the  law-books  then  publiihed, 
and  firmly  reiolving  to  take  things  from  the  fountainhead, 
he  was  very  diligent  in  fearch.ng  records.  And,  with 
collections  out  of  the  books  he  read,  mixed  with  his  own 
learned  observations,  he  made  a  moil  valuable  common- 
place-book.  It  was  done  with  great  indudry  and  judg- 
ment. Inlbmuch,  tlrat  an  eminent  judge  of  the  king's 
bench  having  borrowed  it  of  bin  (though  he  very  un- 
willingly lent  it,  as  thinking  it  too  imperfect)  the  judge, 
after  having  perufed  it,  laid,  that  though  it  was  compof- 
ed  by  him  fo  early,  he  did  not  think  any  lawyer  in  Eng- 
land could  do  it  better,  except  he  himfelf  would  again  fet 
about  it.  He  was  early  taken  notice  of  by  a  gentleman  of 
the  lane  inn  with  himielf,  William  Nov,  Efq  ;  the  attor- 
ney-general, who  directed  hirn  in  his  ftudies,  and  grevto. 
pave  fuck  a  friendship  for  him,  that  he  came  to  be  called 

young 


j3+  H    A    L    Z. 

young  Noy.  The  great  and  learned  Mr.  Selden  alfo 
foon  found  him  out ;  and  though  much  fuperior  to  him  in. 
years,  took  fuch  a  liking  to  him,  that  he  not  only  lived 
in  great  friendship  with  him,  but  alfo  left  him  at  his  death 
one  of  his  executors.  It  was  this  acquaintance  that  firft 
fet  Mr.  Hale  on  a  more  enlarged  purfuit  of  learning, 
which  he  had  before  confined  to  his  own  profeffion.  So 
that  by  his  uncommon  induftry  and  good  natural  parts, 
he  arrived  at  a  considerable  knowledge  in  the  civil  law,  in 
arithmetic,  algebra,  and  other  mathematical  fciences,  as 
well  as  in  phyfic,  anatomy,  and  chirurgerj^.  He  was  alfo 
very  converfant  in  experimental  philofophy,  and  other 
branches  of  philofophical  learning;  and  in  ancient  hiftory 
and  chronology.  Nor  was  he  unacquainted  with  the  an- 
cient Greek  philofophers,  but  want  of  ufe  wore  out  his 
knowledge  of  the  Greek  tongue  ;  and  though  he  never 
ftudied  Hebrew,  yet,  by  his  frequent  converiations  with 
Selden,  he  underflood  the  more  curious  things  in  the  rabbi- 
nical learning.  But,  above  all,  he  feemed  to  have  made 
divinity  his  chief  ftudy  ;  to  which  he  not  only  directed-- 
every  thing  elfe,  but  alfo  arrived  at  that  knowledge  in  it 
that  thofe,,  who  read  what  he  wrote  on  thofe  fubjects, 
will  think  they  muft  have  taken  m oft  of  his  time  and- 
thoughts. 

It  may  feem  almoft  incredible,  as  Dr.  Burnet  obferves, 
that  one  man,  in  no  great  compais  of  years,  mould  have 
acquired  fuch  a  variety  of  knowledge ■:  And  that  in  fci- 
ences, which  require  much  leifure  and  application.  But 
as  his  parts  were  quick,  and  his  apprehenfion  lively,  his 
memory  great,  and  his  judgment  ftrong;  fo  his  induftry 
was  aim  oil  indefatigable.  He  rofe  always  betimes  in  the 
morning;  was  never  idle;  fcarce  ever  held  any  difcourfe 
about  news,  except  with  fome  few  in  whom  he  confided 
entirely.  Ke  entered  into  no  correspondence  by  letters, 
except  about  neceilary  burmefs,  or  matters  of  learning,, 
and  fpent  very  little  time  in  eating  or  drinking;  for  as 
he  never  went  to  public  ieafts,  fo  he  gave  no'  entertain- 
ments 


H     A    1     E. 


335 


ments  but  to  the  poor ;  for  he  fallowed  our  Saviour's 
dfare&ion  (of  feafting  none  but  thefe)  literally  :  And  in 
eating  and  drinking,  he  obferved  not  only  great  plainnefs 
and  moderation,  bat  lived  lb  philoibphicaliy,  that  he  al. 
ways  ended  his  meal  with  an  appetite ;  fo  that  he  loft 
little  time  at  it,  (that  being  the  only  portion  which  he 
grudged  himfelf)  and  was  difpoied  to  any  exerciie  of  his 
mind,  to  which  he  thought  fit  to  apply  himfelf  immediate- 
ly after  he  had  dined.  By  thefe  means  he  gained  much 
time,  that  is  otherwife  unprontably  wafted.  He  had  alfb 
an  admirable  equality  in  the  temper  of  his  mind,  which 
difpofed  him  for  whatever  ftudies  he  thought  tit  to  turn 
himfelf  to ;  and  fbme  very  uneafy  things  which  he  lay 
under  for  many  years,  did  rather  engage  him  to,  than 
dirtracl  him  from  his  ftudies. 

Some  time  before  the  civil  wars  he  was  called  to  the 
bar,  and  began  to  make  a  figure  in  the  world.  But, 
upon  their  breaking  out,  obferving  how  difficult  it  was 
to  prelerve  his  integrity  and  to  live  fecurely,  he  refolved 
to  follow  thefe  two  maxims  of  Pomponius  Atticus,  whom 
he  propofed  to  himfelf  as  a  pattern  :  Namely,  "  To  en- 
gage in  no  faction,  nor  meddle  in  public  butinefs;"  and, 
"  conftantly  to  favour  and  relieve  thofe  that  were  loweft." 
Accordingly  he  avoided  all  public  employment,  and  the 
very  talking  of  news  ;  being  ftrictly  careful,  never  to  pro- 
voke any  in  particular,  by  cenfuring  or  reflecting  on  their 
actions.  And  he  often  relieved  the  royalifts  in  their  ne- 
eeilities.  This  he  did  in  a  way  no  lefs  prudent  than  cha- 
ritable, confidering  the  dangers  of  that  time  :  For  he  of- 
ten depolited  confiderable  funis  in  the  hands  of  a  worthy 
gentleman  of  the  king's  party,  who  knew  their  necefiities 
well,  and  was  to  diltribute  his  charity  according  to  his 
own  difcretion,  without  either  letting  them  know  from 
whence  it  came,  or  giving  himfelf  any  account  to  whom 
he  had  given  it.  This  fo  ingratiated  him  with"  them, 
that  he  came  generally  to  be  employed  by  them   in  his 

practice. 


336  HALE. 

practice.  T:e  was  one  of  the  counfel  to  the  earl  of  Straf- 
ford, arclibifhop  Laud,  and  K.  Charles  hirnfelf:  As  alfo 
to  the  duke  of  Hamilton,  the  earl  of  Holland,  the  lord 
Capel,  and  the  lord  Craven. 

When  he  was  counfel  for  this  lord,  he  pleaded  with 
that  force  cf  argument,  that  the  then  attorney-general, 
Edmund  Pridesux,  threatened  him  for  appearing  againft 
the  government :  To  whom  he  aniwered,  Be  was 
"  Pleading  in  defence  of  thole  laws,  which  they  declared 
they  would  maintain  and  preferve,  and  he  was  doing  his 
duty  to  his  client,  ft)  that  he  was  not  to  be  daunted  with 
threatenings."  Being  efteemed  a  plain  honeft  man,  a 
perfon  of  great  integrity  and  knowledge  in  the  law,  he 
was  entertained  by  both  parties,  the  prefbyterians  as  well 
asloyalifts.  „  In  1643,  he  took  the  covenant,  and  appear- 
ed feveral  times  with  other  lay  perfons  among  the  aifemb- 
3y  of  divines,  fie  was  then  in  great  efteem  with  the 
parliament,  and  employed  by  them  in  feveral  affairs,  for 
his  counfel,  particularly  in  the  reduction  of  the  garrifon 
at  Oxford;  being,  as  lawyer,  added  to  the  commiihoners 
named  by  the  parliament  to  treat  with  thofe  appointed  by 
tl>e  king.  In  that  capacity  he  did  good  fervice,  by  ad- 
vifmg  them,  efpecially  the  general,  Fairfax,  to  preferve 
that  famous  feat  of  learning  from  ruin.  Afterwards, 
though  the  barbarous  death  of  K.  Charles  I.  was  a  great 
grief  to  him,  yet  he  took  the  oath  called  the  Engage- 
ment. And,  on  the  twentieth  of  January  1651,  was 
one  of  thofe  appointed  to  coniider  of  the  reformation  of 
the  law.  Oliver  Cromwell,  who  affected  the  reputation 
of  honoring  and  trufting  perfons  of  eminent  virtues,  and 
wanted  fuch  a  man  as  Mr.  Hale  to  give  countenance  to 
his  courts,  never  left  importuning  him,  till  he  accepted 
of  the  place  of  one  of  the  juftices  of  the  com-mon- 
bench,  as  it  was  then  called.  For  which  purpofe 
he  was  by  writ  made  ferjeant  at  law,  on  the  twenty- 
fifth  of  January   1653.*    In  that  ftation  he   a&ed    with 

great  ' 


H     A     L     E.  W* 

■    airtl   fuitnblc  courage     He  had  at    firfll 
g*eat  I  cerning  the  authority  under  which  he 

And,  after  having  gone  two  or  three  circuits, 
berefnfed  to  ii:  any  more  on  the  crown  tide;  that  is,  to 
judge  criminals;  He  had  indeed  fo  carried  bimfelf  in 
!l'™"  ;  -   the  powers  then  in  being  were  not  un- 

willing he  fbould  wkhdraw  from  meddling  farther  in  them  ; 
oi  which  Dr.  Burnet  gives  the  following  inihnces  :  Not 
long  after  lie  w.as  made  a  judge,  when  he  went  the  cir- 
cuit, a  trial  was  brought  before  him  at  Lincoln,  concern- 
ing the  murder  of  cne  of  the  townfmen,  who  had  been 
of  the  king's  party,  and  was  killed  by  a  foldfer  of  the 
garnion  there.  Ke  was  in  the  fields  with  a  fowling- 
piece  on  his  moulder  ;  which  the  foldier  feeing,  he  came 
to  him,  and  faid,  it  was  contrary  to  an  order  which  the 
protedor  had  made,  f  That  none  who  had  been  of  the 
king's  party  mould  carry  arms  •>  and  fo  he  would  have 
forced  it  from  him.  '  But  as  the  other  did  not  reaard  the 
eraer,  io  Demgilronger  than  the  foldier,  he  threw  him 
down,  and  having  beat  him,  left  him.  The  foldier  went 
into  the  town,  and  told  one  of  his  fellow-foldiers  how  he 
aad  been  ufed,  and  got  him  to  go  with  him.  and  fyein  wait: 
ior  the  man,  that  he  might  be  revenged  on  :  n,  fhey 
both  watched  his   coming  to   town,  ai  d  of    them 

went  to  him  to  demand  Ills  gun  ;  which  he  refuting,  the 
foldwr  ftruck  at  him  ;  and  as  they  were  ftruffgrlin^  the 
other  came  behind,  and  ran  his  Tword  into  his  body  •  of 
which  he  prefently  died.  ' 

It  was  in  the.  time  of  the  affizes,  fo  they  were  both 
tied:  Againft  the  one  there  was  no  evidence  of  fore- 
thought felony,  fo  he  was  only  found  guilty  of  mar- 
flaugnter,  and  burnt  on  the  hand  ;  but  ^the  other  was 
found  guilty  of  murder  :  And  though  colonel  Whallev 
tnat  commanded  the  garrifon,  came  into  the  court,  and 
urged,  <Tha*  the  man  was  killed  only  for  ffobtW 
the  protector's  order,  and  that  the  foldier  fras  but  dohJ 

F  f  hP 

BIS 


33S  HALE. 

his  duty;'  yet  the  judge  regarded  both  his  reaFens  and 
threatenings  very  little;  and  therefore  he  not  only  gave 
Sentence  againft  him,  but  ordered  the  execution  to  be 
£o  fu tide nly  done,  that  it  might  not  be  poffible  to  procure 
a  reprieve  ;  which  he  believed  would  have  been  obtained, 
if  there  had  been  time  enough  granted  for  it.- Ano- 
ther occafion  was  given  him  of  fliewing  both  his  juflice  and 
courage,  when  he  was  in  another  circuit.  He  under- 
fiood  that  the  protector  had  ordered  a  jury  to  be  return- 
ed for  a  trial,  in  which  he  was  more  than  ordinarily  con- 
cerned. Upon  this  information  he  examined  the  fheriff 
about  it,  who  knew  nothing  of  it,  for  he  laid  he  refer- 
red all  fuch  things  to  the  under  fheriff;  and  having  next 
alked  the  under  fheriff  concerning  it,  he  found  the  jury 
had  been  returned  by  order  from  Cromwell  ;  upon 
■which  he  mewed  the  ftatute,  that  all  juries  ought  to  be 
returned  by  the  fherifF,  or  his  lawful  officer :  And  this 
not  being  done  according  to  law,  he  difmiiTed  the  jury, 
and  would  not  try  the  caufe.  .  Upon  which  the  protec- 
tor was  highly  difpleafed  with  him,  and  at  his  return 
from  the  circuit,  he  told  him  in  anger,  <  He  was  not  fit 
to  be  a  judge ;'  to  which  ail  the  anfwer  he  made  was, 
"  That  it  was  very  true."-— Another  thing  met  hira 
in  the  circuit,  upon  which  he  refolved  to  have  proceeded 
feverely.  Some  anabaptifts  had  rufhed  into  a  church, 
and  had  difturbed  a  congregation  while  they  were  receiv- 
ing the  facrament,  not  without  fome  violence.  At  this 
he  was  highly  offended,  for  he  faid,  ic  Jt  was  intolerable 
for  men,  who  pretended  fo  highly  to  liberty  of  confei- 
ence,  to  go  and  diflurb  others;  efpeclaily  thofe  who  had 
the  encouragement  of  the  law  on  their  fide."  But  thefe 
were  fo  fupported  by  fome  great  magiftrates  and  officers, 
that  a  (lop  was  put  to  his  proceedings  ;  upon  which  he 
declared  he  would  meddle  no  more  with  the  trials  on  the 

crown  fide. When  Fenruddock's  trial    was  brought 

on,  there  was  a  fpecia!  raeiTenger  fent  to  him,  requiring 

binj 


HALE.  339 

bim  to  affift  &t  it.  It  was  in  vacation  time,  and  he  was 
at  his  country  houfe  at  Alderley  :  He  plainly  refilled  to 
go,  and  (aid,  "  The  four  terms,  and  two  circuits,  were 
enough,  and  the  little  interval  that  was  between,  was 
little  enough  for  their  private  affairs  ;"  and  ib  he  excuf- 
ed  himfelf.  But  if  he  had  been  urged,  he  would  not 
have  been  afraid  ipeaking  more  plainly. 

The  fame  year  he  was  elected  one  of  the  five  knights 
to  reprefent  the  county  of  Gloucefter,  in  the  parliament 
which  began  at  Weitminfter,  September  the  third,  1654* 
He  duly  attended  the  houfe,  on  purpofe  to  obftrufl  the 
mad  and  wicked  projects  then  fet  on  foot,  by  two  par- 
ties, that  had  very  different  principles  and-  ends.  One 
of  thofe  parties,  who  were  down-right  braintick  enthufi- 
afts,  were  refolved  to  pull  down  a  ftanding  miniftry,  the 
law  and  property  of  England,  and  all  the  ancient  rules  of 
that  government,  and  let  up  in  their  room  an  indigeited 
enthufiaftical  fcheme,  which  they  called  the  kingdom  of 
Chrift,  or  of  his  faints ;  many  of  them  being  really  in  ex- 
pectation, that  one  day  or  other  Chrift  would  come  down, 
and  fit  among  them,  and  at  laft  they  thought  to  begin 
the  glorious  thoufand  years  mentioned  in  the  Revelation- 
The  others,  taking  advantage  from  the  fears  and  appre- 
henftons  all  the  fober  people  of  the  nation  were  in,  left* 
they  ihould  fail  under  the  tyranny  of  that  diffracted  fort 
of  people,  (who,  to  all  their  other  principles  added  great 
cruelty,  which  they  had  copied  from  thofe  at  Munfter  in 
the  former  age)  intended  to  improve  that  opportunity  to 
raife  their  own  fortunes  and  families.  Amidit  thefep 
judge  Hale  (leered  a  middle  courfe  ;  for,  as  he  would 
engage  for  neither  tide,  lo  he,  with  a  great  many  more 
worthy  men,  came  to  parliaments,  more  out  of  a  deiign 
to  hinder  miichiei',  than  to  do  much  good  ;  that  is,  to 
oppofe  the  ill  deiign s  of  both  parties,  the  enthutiails  as 
well  as  the  ufurpers.  Among  the  other  extravagant 
motions  mad:  in  this  rjaribnunt,  one  was,.t3.deftroy  all 

chef 


#~~ 


34c  HAL     E. 

the  records  in  the  Tower,  and  to  fettle,  the  nation  on  a 
new  foundation  ;  fo  he  took  this  province  to  himfelf,  to 
ihew  the  madnefs  of  this  proportion,  the  injultice  of  it, 
and"  the  mifchiefs  that  would  follow  on  it  ;  and  did  it 
with  fuch  clearnefs  and  ftrength  of  reafon,  as  not  only 
Satisfied  all  fober  perfons  (for  it  may  be  fuppofed  that 
was  foon  done)  but  ftopt  even  the  mouths  of  the  frantic 
people  themfelves.. 

When.rhe  protector  died,  he.  not  only   excufed  himfelf 
from  accepting  of  the  mourning  that  was   lent  him,  bur 
alfq  refafed  the  new  commiflion  offered  him  by  Richard  ; 
ulleaging,  "  He  could  aft  no  longer  under    fuch  autho- 
rity."    He  did  not  fit  in  Oliver's  fecond  parliament,  in 
1656.;  but,  in  Richard's  which  met  January  twenty-fe-- 
ven,   1658,  he  was  one   of  the    burgeifes  for  the  uni- 
verlity  of  Oxford.     And  in  the  healing  parliament,  anno 
1660,  which  recalled  K.  Charles  II.  he  was  elected    one 
of  the  knights  for  the  county  of  Gloucefter,  through  the 
lord  Beckeley's  intereft,  and  without  any  charge  to  him- 
felf, though  he  had  a  competitor  that  had    fpent   near  a; 
thoufand  pounds  ;  a  great  fum  to  be  employed  that  way. 
in  thofe  days.     In  that  parliament,  he  moved  that  acorn-- 
mittee  might  be    appointed  to  look  into   the  proportions 
that  had  been  made,  and  the  concefiions  that  had  been 
offered  by    K.  Charles  I.    during    the   late    war;   that 
from   thence    fuch   proportions    might  'be   digefted,   as 
they  mould    think  fit   to  be  lent   over    to  the   king  at 
Breda.     He    was    alfo    very     earneil  and    inftrumental 
in    getting  the   act  of    indemnity    palled.     The    twen* 
ty-fecond  of  June,    his    majefty    recalled   him,    among 
others,    by    writ,    to    the   degree  of   ferjeant   at    law 
And,    upon    fettling     the    courts  in    Weftminfter-hall; 
confdtuted  •  him,     November    the    feventh     the     fame 
year,   chief  baron    of    the    exchequer.     When  the   lord 
chancellor    Clarendon,    delivered   him     his     coramitfion, 
he     made     a   fpeech     to    him     according    to     cuitotn, 

where  ia 


Jf    ALE.'  #rt 

wherein  he  exprefied  his  great  and  juft  eftfcem  for  him  in 

the  following  words.  *  That  if  the  king  could  have 
found  out  aii  honefler  and  fitter  man  for  that  employ- 
ment, he  would  not  have  advanced  him  to  it  ;  and  thai 
he  had  therefore  preferred  him,  becaufe  fa  knew  none 
that  deferved  it  lb  well.'  Some  time  after  he  was 
knighted.  It  is  an  honour  ufually  conferred  upon  the 
chief  judges ;  but  Mr.  Hale  dedred  to  avoid  it ;  and 
therefore  declined  for  a  confiderable  time  all  opportu- 
nities of  waiting  on  the  king.  Which  the  lord  chancel- 
lor observing,  he  fent  for  him  upon  bufmefs.one  da/, 
when  the  king  was  at  his  houfe,  and  told  his  majefty, 
i  There  was  his  model!  chief  baron ;'  upon  which  hef 
was  unexpectedly  knighted.  ' 

He  continued  eleven  years  in  that  place  ^  and  very 
much  railed  the  reputation  and  practice  of  the  court,  by 
his  exact  and  impartial  adminiilxation  of  jullice,  as  alfo  by 
his  generoiity,  valt  diligence,  and  great  exafunels  in  tri- 
als, of  which  we  have  the  following  in  [lances.  Her  would 
never  receive  any  private  addreifes  or  recommendat'o;r 
from  the  greateii:  perlbns,  in  any  matter  in  which  jnf- 
tice  was  concerned.  One  of  the  firffc  peers  of  England 
went  once  to  his  chamber,  and  told  him,  '  That  having 
a  fuit  in  law  to  be  tried  before  him,  he  was  then  to  ac- 
quaint him  with  it,  that  he  might  the  better  understand 
it,  when  it  mould  come  to  be  heard  in  court.  Upon 
which  Sr  Matthew  interrupted  him,  and  laid,  u  He  did 
not  deal  fairly  to  come  to  his  chamber  about  fuch  affairs, 
for  he  never  received  any  information  of  caufes  but  in 
open  court,  where  both  parties  were  to  be  heard  alike  ;" 
fo  he  would  not  fnfFer  him  to  go  on.  W Hereupon  his 
grace  (for  he  was  a  duke)  went  away  not  a  little  dilTatis- 
hed,  and  complained  of  it  to  the  king,  as  a  rudenefs  that 
was  not  to  be  endured.  But  his  majeily  bid  him  '  Con- 
tent himfelf  that  he  was  no  worfe  ufed/  and  faid,  *  He 
verily  believed  he  would  have  ufed  himfelf  no  better,  it 
Ffz      -  i~r 


242  HALE. 

lie  had  gone  to  iolicit  him  in  any  of  his  own  causes.' 
Another  paffage  fell  out  in  one  of  his  circuits,  which  was 
iomewhat  cenfured  as  an  affectation  of  unreafonable  ftrict- 
ncis  ;  but  it  flowed  from  his  exactnefs  to  the  rules  he  had 
fet  himielf.  A  gentleman  had  fent  him  a  buck  for  his 
table,  who  had  a  trial  at  the  aflizes ;  i'o  when  he  heard 
hb  name,  he  alked,  "  If  he  was  not  the  fame  perfon  who 
had  fent  him  veniforir"  And  finding  he  was  the  fame,  he 
told  him,  u  He  could  not  fuffer  the  trial  to  go  on,  till  he 
had  paid  him  for  his  buck  :"  To  which  the  gentleman 
anfwered,  '  That  he  never  fold  his  venifon,  and  that  he 
had  done  nothing  to  him,  which  he  did  not  do  to  every 
judge  that  had  gone  that  circuit, '  which  was  confirmed 
by  feveral  gentlemen  then  prefent :  But  all  would  not 
do,  for  the  Lord  Chief  Baron  had  learned  from  Solomon, 
that  a  gift  pervert eth  fhe  ways  of  judgment ;  and  therefore 
he  would  not  fuffer  the  trial  to  go  on,  till  he  had  paid 
for  the  prefent  ;  upon  which  the  gentleman  withdrew 
the  record.  And,  at  Salifbury,  the  dean  and  chapter 
having,  according  to  cuftom,  prefented  him  with  fix. 
fugar  loaves  in  his  circuit,  he  made  his  fervants  pay  for 
the  fugar  before  he  would  try  their  caufe. 

According  to  his  rule  of  favouring  and  relieving  thofe 
that  were  ioweft,  he  was  now  very  charitable  to  the 
Nonconformists,  and  took  great  care  to  cover  them  as 
much  as  poffible  from  the  feverities  of  the  law.  He 
thought  many  of  them  had  merited  highly  in  the  bufinefs 
of  the  king's  reftoration,  and  at  leaft  deferved  that  the 
terms  of  conformity  mould  not  have  been  made  Stricter 
than  they  were  before  the  war-  But  as  he  lamented  the 
too  rigourous  proceedings  again  ft  them,  fo  he  declared 
himfelf  always  of  the  fide  of  the  church  of  England,  and 
laid,  **  Thofe  of  the  feparation  were  good  men,  but  they 
had  narrow  fouls,  who  would  break  the  peace  of  the 
church  about  fuch  inconfiderable  matters  as  the  points  in 
difference  were."  After  the  fire  of  London,  he  was  one 
of  ihe  principal  judges  that  fat  iaCliffor4's-inn,  to  fettle 


H     A     h     B.  343 

the  differences  betweed  landlord  and  tenant  ;  being  the 
brft  that  offered  his  fervice  to  the  city  in  that  affair  : 
Wherein  he  behaved  himfelf  to  the  Satisfaction  of  all 
parties  concerned.  He  was  heartily  engaged  (together 
with  Dr.  Wilkins,  afterwards  bilhop  of  Chefter,  &o)  in 
the  attempt  to  bring  a  comprehension  to  pal's,  in  the  year 
1660,  for  the  more  moderate  diffenters,  and  a  limited 
indulgence  towards  fuch  as  could  not  be  brought  within 
the  compreheniion  :  But  fo  ftrong  was  the  oppofition, 
that  the  wliole  project  was  let  fall  ;  and,  fays  biOiop 
Burnet,  thofe  who  had  fet  it  on  foot,  came  to  be  looked 
upon  with  an  ill  eye,  as  fecret  favonrcs  of  the  diffenters, 
underminers  of  the  church,  and  every  thing  elie  that 
jealouiy  and  diitalte  could  caft  upon  them.  On  this  ac- 
cafion,  judge  Hale  and  Dr.  Wilkins  came  to  contract  a 
firm  and  familiar  friendlhip,  and  an  intimacy  and  freedom 
in  convtrfe,  that  the  Judge  ufed  with  no  other.  He  held 
alfo  great  converfation  with  the  reverend  Mr.  Richard 
Baxter,  who  was  his  neighbour  at  Acton,  on  whom  he 
looked  as  a  perfon  of  great  cevotion  and  piety,  and  of  a 
very  quick  appreheniion  :  Indeed,  as  he  thought  the 
Ncnconformiits  were  too  hardly  ufed,  he  beftowed  his 
charity  largely  among  them,  and  took  great  care  to  co- 
ver them  all  he  could,  from  the  feverities  fome  defigned 
again  ft  them. 

Let  us  view  him  now  when  broken  in  health,  and 
growing  weaker  daily  in  body.  He  made  a  voluntary 
iurrender  of  his  office  which  he  had  held  abo-Jt  four  v^rs 
and  a  half;  having  fued  to-  the  king  for  a  writ  of  eafe, 
which  he  was  unwilling  to  grant,  and  deferred  it,  till  the 
lord  chief  juftice  Hale  being  wearied  by  application  and 
delay,  drew  up  a  deed  of  furrender  with  his  own  hand, 
and  delivered  it  to  the  lord  chancellor.  He  had  behav- 
ed in  that  high  ftation  with  his  ufual  ftriclnefs  and  dili- 
gence. One  thing  was  much  obferved  and  commended 
in  him;  viz,  that  when  there  was  a  great  inequality  in  the, 

ability 


344  .11"  A"'  L     £/ 

ability  and  learning  of  the  counfellors  that  were  to  plead 
one  ao-ciinil  another,  he  thought  it  became  hira,  as  the 
judge,  to  fupply  that :  So  he  would  enforce  what  the 
weaker  counfel  managed  but  indifferently,  and  not  fuffer 
the  more  learned  to  carry  the  bufmefs  by  the  advantage 
they  had  over  the  others,  in  their  quicknefs  -and  (kill  in 
law,  and  readinefs  in  pleading,  till  all  things  were  clear- 
ed, in  which  the  merits  and  itrength  of  the  ill-defended 
caufe  lay.  He  was  not  fatisfied  barely  to  give  his  judg- 
ment in  caufes  ;  but  did,  efpecially  in  all  intricate  ones, 
give  fuch  an  account  of  the  reafons  that  prevailed  with 
him  ;  that  the  counfel  did  not  only  acquiefce  in  his  au- 
thority, but  were  ib  convinced  by  his  reafons,  that  he 
brought  them  often  to  change  their  opinions  ;  lb  that  his 
giving  of  judgment  was  really  a  learned  lecture  upon 
that  point  of  law.  And  even  the  parties  intereftcd  were 
generally  fatisfied  with  the  juftice  of  his  deciiions,  even 
when  they  were  made  againit  themfelves. 

The  writer  of  his  life  inferts  3,  paper  which  (hews  that 
Sir  Matthew  Hale  thought  himfelf  no  longer  bound  in 
duty  to  hold  his  office,  and  was  deiirous  to  quit  it,  that 
he  might  wholly  apply  himfelf  to  better  purpofes  :  The 
clofe  of  that  paper  is  as  follows ;  "  I  do  not  know  a 
better  temporal  employment  than  Martha  had,  in  teftify- 
ing  her  love  and  duty  to  our  Saviour,  by  making  provi- 
sion for  him  ;  yet  our  Lord  tells  her,  that  t  hough  /he  was 
troubled  about  many  things-,  there  was  only  one  thing  necef- 
fary9  and  Mary  had  chofen  the  better  fart'9  He  had  been 
wont  to  worlhip  GOD  in  his  family,  performing  it  al- 
ways himfelf,  if  no  clergyman  was  prefent  i  But  as  to 
private  exercifes  of  devotion,. he  ufed the  greateft  privacy, 
and  indeed  ufed  the  greateft  caution  to  conceal  the  reli-" 
gious  impreftions  which  were  in  his  mind,  from  fear,  left 
by  fome  fall  he  mould  bring  reproach  on  religion  :  But 
now  in  his  weak  itate  he  retired  often  to  his  clofet  for 
devotion  as  long  as  he  could  go;  and  when  his  infirir?i-* 

tie; 


HALE.  343 

tics -prevented,  he*  made  his  fervants  carry  him  thither  in 
a  chair.  It  was  in  February,  1676,  that  he  furrenriered 
his  office,  and  as  the  next  winter  came  on,  he  faw  with 
great  joy  his  deliverance  coming  on,  together  with  long- 
ings for  the  bleftednefs  of  another  fiate  ;  his  pains  increas- 
ed fo  on  him  that  no  human  unamfred  patience  could 
have  borne  them,  without  a  great  uneafmeis  of  mind. 
He  could  not  lie  down  in  bed  above  a  year  before  his 
death,  by  realbn  of  the  afthma.  He  was  attended  in 
his  iicknefs  by  a  pious  and  worthy  divine,  Mr.  Evans 
Griffith,  minifter  of  the  pariili  ;  and  it  was  obferved,  that 
in  all  the  extremities  of  his  pain,  whenever  he  prayed  by 
him,  he  forbore  all  complaints  or  groans,  but,  with  hands 
and  eyes  lifted  up,  was  fixed  in  his  devotion.  Not  long 
before  his  death,  the  minifter  told  him  of  an  approachmg 
iacrament,  but  that  he  believed  he  could  not  come  and 
partake  of  it  with  others,  and  therefore  he  would  give  it 
to  him  in  his  own  houfe  :  He  replied,  no  ;  his  heavenly 
father  had  prepared  a  feaft  for  him,  and  he  would  go  to 
his  father's  houfe  to  partake  of  it,  and  v/as  carried  in  his 
chair.  He  continued  to  enjoy  the  free  ufe  of  his  reafen  to 
the  lair. ;  which  during  his  lkknelshe  had  often  earneitly 
prayed  for  :  And  when  his  voice  was  fo  funk  that  he  could 
no:  be  heard,  they  perceived  by  the  almolt;  conftant  lift- 
ing up  of  his  eyes  and  hands,  that  he  was  ftill  afpiring  to- 
wards that  bleiTed  flate  he  longed  for,  and  en  Chriftmas- 
day  1676,  between  two  and  three  in  the  afternoon,  he- 
breathed  out  his  pious  foul  without  any  ftruggling  or- 
vifible  pangs. 

Mr.  Baxter's  character  of  Sir  Matthew  Hale,  is  as  fol- 
lows :  <  The  laft  year  of  my  abode  at  Acton,  (1669,)  I 
had  the  happinefs  of  a  neighbour  whom  1  cannot  eaiily 
praife  above  his  worth  ;  which  was  Sir  Matthew  Hale, 
lord  chief  baron  of  the  exchequer,  whom  all  the  judges' 
and  lawyers  in  England  admired  for  his  {kill  in  law,  and 
for  iiisjmlice ;  andiiholars  honoured  for  his  learning,  and 

I  highly 


346  HALE. 

I  highly  valued  for  his  fmcerity,  mortification,  felt- 
denial,  humility,  confcientiouihefs,  and  his  clofe  fidelity 
in  friendihip.  When  he  firft  came  to  town,  I  came  not 
near  him,  left,  being  a  (ilenced  and  fufpected  peribn  (with 
his  fuperiors)  I.  mould  draw  him  alio  under  fufpicion, 
and  do  him  wrong ;  till  I  had  notice  round  about  of  his 
tiellre  of  my  acquaintance ;  and  I  fcarce  ever  converted, 
fo  profitably,  with  any  other  peribn  in  my  life*  He  was 
a  man  of  no  quick  utterance,  but  often  heiitant ;  bucfpake 
with  great  reafbn.  He  was  moitprecifely  juit;  inibmucli 
as  I  believe  he  would  have  loil  all  he  had  in  the  world, 
rather  than  do  an  unjjuit  act :  patient  in  hearing  the  molt 
tedious  fpeech  which  any  man  had  to  make  for  himfelf ; 
the  pillar  of  juftice,  the  refuge  of  the  fubject  who  fear- 
ed oppreiiien,  and  one  of  the  greateit  honours  of  his 
majefty's  government :  For  with  fome  more  upright  judg- 
es, he  upheld  the  honour  of  the  Engliih  nation,  that  it 
fell  not  into  the  reproach  of  arbitrarinefs,  cruelty,  and. 
utter  confufion.  Every  man  that  had  a  juft  caufe  was 
ahnoft  pail  fear,  if  they  could  but  bring  it  into  the  court 
or  affize  where  he  was  judge  (for  the  other  judges  feldom 
contradicted  himj.  He  was  the  great  inlirument  for 
rebuilding  London  :  For  when  an  act  was  made  for  de- 
ciding ail  controverfies  that  hindered  it  ;  it  was  he  that 
was  the  conftant  judge,  who  for  nothing  followed  the 
work,  and  by  his  prudence  and  jultice  removed  a  multi- 
tude of  great  impediments.  His  great  advantage  for  in- 
nocency  was,  that  he  was  no  lover  of  riches,  or  of  grand- 
eur. His  garb  was  too  plain  ;  he  fiudioully  avoided  all 
unneceffary  familiarity  with  great  perfons,  and  all  that 
manner  of  living  which  figniiieth  wealth  and  greatnefs. 
He  kept  no  greater  a  family  than  myfelf.  I  lived  in  a 
fmall  houfe,  which  for  a  pleafant  fituation  he  had  a  mind 
to :  But  cauied  a  ftranger  (that  he  might  not  be  fufpec- 
ted  to  be  the  man)  to  kiiow  of  ine,  whether"!  were  willing 
to  part  with  it,  before  he  would  meddle  with  it  :  In  that 

houfe 


II     A     h     E.  347 

lioufe  he  liveth  contentedly,  without  any  pomp,  and 
without  coiHy  or  troublefbme  retinue  or  viiitors,  but 
not  without  charity  to  the  poor.  lie  continueth  the 
ftudy  of  phyiicand  mathematics  itill,  as  his  great  delight  : 
lie  hath  himfelf  written  four  volumes  in  folio  (three  of 
which  I  have  read)  again  0:  at  heifm,  fadducifnij  and  infide- 
lity, to  prove  the  Deity,  and  then  the  in ■  mortality  of 
man's  foul,  and  then  the  truth  of  chriftianity  and  the 
holy  fcripture,  anfwering  the  infidels'  objections  againft 
fcripture  ;  it  is  llrong  and  mafculine,  only  too  tedious 
for  impatient  readers  :  He  faith,  he  wrote  it  only  at  va- 
cant hours  in  his  circuits  :  to  regulate  his  meditations, 
finding  at  that  time  he  wrote  belt  what  he  thought  on. 
his  thoughts  were  the  eafier  kept  clofc  to  work,  and  kept 
in  a  method,  and  he  could  after  try  his  former  thoughts, 
and  make  further  ufe  of  them  if  they  were  good.  But  I 
could  not  yet  perfuade  him  to  hear  of  pubhming  it. 

The  conferences  which  I  had  frequently  with  him 
(moitly  about  the  immortality  of  the  foul,  and  other 
foundation  points,  and  philosophical)  was  fo  edifying, 
that  his  very  questions  and  objections  did  help  me  to  more 
light  than  other  mens  folutions.  Thole  that  take  no  men 
for  religious  who  frequent  not  private  meetings,  ore.  took 
him  for  an  excellently  righteous  moral  men :  But  I  that 
have  heard,  and  read  his  fericus  expreflions  of  the  con- 
cernments  of  eternity,  and  feen  his  love  to  all  good  men, 
and  the  blameleffneis  of  his  life,  ccc.  thought  better  of 
his  piety  than  of  mine  own.  When  the  people  crouded 
in  and  out  of  rry  houfe  to  hear,  he  openly  (hewed  me  fo 
great  refpect  before  them  at  the  door,  and  never  fpake 
a  word  sgainft  it,  as  was  no  fmall  encouragement  to  the 
common  people  to  go  on  ;  though  the  other  fort  mut- 
tered, that  a  judge  (hould  feem  fo  far  to  countenance 
that  they  took  to  be  a  gam  ft  the  law.  -Ke  was  a  great 
lamenter  of  the  extremities  of  the  times  ;  and  the  vio- 
lence and    foolifhnefs  of  the  predominant  clergy,  and  a 


348  HAL    .£. 

great  defirer  of  fuch  abatements,  as  might  r«flore  us  all 
to  ferviceahlenefs  and  unity.  He  had  got  but  a  very 
imall  elfote  (though  he  had  long  the  greateft  practice)  be- 
cause he  would  take  but  little  money,  and  undertake  no 
more  bnfineis  than  he  could  well  difpatch.  i  u:  offered  to 
the  lord  chancellor  to  refign  his  place,  when  he  was  bla- 
med for  doing  that  which  he  fuppofed  was  jufticc.  He' 
had  been  the  learned  SekJen'fS intimate  friend,  and  one  of 
his  executors  :  And  becaufe  the  Hobbians  and  other  infc' 
dels  would  have  perfuaded  the  world  that  Seidell  was  of 
their  mind,  I  defired  him  to  cell  me  truth  therein  ;  and 
he  allured  me  that  Selden  was  an  eyrneiiprofeffor  of  the 
chriilian  faith,  and  fo  angry  an  adverfaryto  Hobbs,  that 
he  hath  rated  him  out  of  the  room.'  Mr.  Baxter  after 
this,  relating  the  treatment  himfelf  met  with  at  Aft  on 
from  his  enemies,  who  procured]  his  commitment  to  new 
prifon  Clerkenwell,  for  fix  months  without  bail  or  main- 
prize,  adds  ;  i  And  fo  I  finally  left  that  place,  being  griev- 
ed moil  that  Satan  had  prevailed  to  hop  the  poor  peo- 
ple in  fuch  hopeful  beginnings  of  a  common  reformation, 
and  that  I  was  to  be  deprived  of  the  exceeding  grateful 
neighbourhood  of  the  lord  chief  baron  Kale,  who  could 
fcarce  refrain  tears  when  he  did  but  hear  of  the  firft 
warrant  for  my  appearance.' 

Mr.  Samuel  Clark,  -in  his  life  of  Sir  Matthew  Hale, 
obferves,  he  was  a  chief  obferver  of  the  Lord's-day  ;  in 
which,  befides  his  conflant  attendance  upon  the  public 
fervice  of  GOD  twice  a  day,  in  the  evening  he  galled  all 
his  family  together,  and  repeated -to  them  the  heads  of 
the  fermons  with  fome  additions  of  his  own,  which  he  fit- 
ted for  their  capacities,  after  which  he  conftantly  fhut  up 
himfelf  for  two  or  three  hours,  which  he  fpent  in  his 
iiecret  devotions,  and  profitable  meditations.  Of  which 
co:ntemplat|oqs  two  volumes  in  octavo  v/.cxe  printed  a  lit- 
tle before  his  death.  Ke.Ldipd  in  ihe  fixty-feventh  yerr' 
r>f  his  age- 

JOHN 


(     349     ) 


vffi  '     I7 ■— »  ^Xy 


JOHN    OWEN,    D.    D. 


THIS  very  eminent  Divine  was  born  at  Stadham  in 
Oxfordihire,  where  his  father  was  minifter,  in  the 
year  1616.  He  had  fuch  an  extraordinary  genius,  and 
made  fo  quick  a  proficiency  in  hisftudies  at  fchool,  that  he 
was  very  early  ripe  for  the  univerfity,  being  admitted  in- 
to Queen's- college  at  about  twelve  years  of  age,  and 
when  he  was  but  nineteen,  commenced  mafter  of  arts, 
1635.  He  purfued  his  (Indies  with  incredible  diligence, 
allowing  himfelf  for  fever al  years  not  above  four  hours 
fleep  in  a  night ;  fo  that  he  icon  had  made  a  confiderablc 
progrefs  in  learning.  Sometimes  he  would,  for  the  be- 
nefit of  his  health,  ufe  fome  recreations,  but  chiefly  fuch 
as  were  violent  and  robuft,  as  leaping,  throwing  the  bar, 
ringing  of  bell?,  and  fuch  like  exercifes.  While  he  con- 
tinued in  the  college,  his  whole  aim  and  ambition  was  to 
raife  himfelf  to  fome  eminence  in  church  or  ftate,  to  either 
of  which  he  was  then  indifferent.  It  was  his  own  ack- 
nowledgment fince,  concerning  himfelf,  that  being  natu- 
rally ot  an  afpiring  mind,  affecting  popular  applaufe,  and 
very  defirous  of  honour  and  perferment,  he  applied  him- 
felf very  clofs  to  his  itudies,  to  accomplilh  thefe  ends  he 
G  g  had 


35«  J-      OWE    N. 

had  fo  much  in  view  ;  and  he  was  ready  to  confefs  with 
ihame  and  forrow,  that  then  the  honour  of  God,  or  ferv- 
ing  his  country,  otherwise  than  he  might  thereby  ferve 
himfelf,  were  moft  remote  from  his  intentions.  His  fa- 
ther having  a  large  family,  could  not  afford  him  any  con- 
siderable maintainance  at  the  univerfity,  but  he  was  lib- 
erally lupplied  by  an  uncle,  one  of  his  father's  brothers, 
a  gentleman  of  a  fair  eftate  in  Wales ;  who  having  no 
children- of  his  own,  defigned  to  have  made  him  his  heir. 
He  lived  in  the  college  nil  he  was  twenty-one  years  of 
age,  from  which  time  he  met  with  extraordinary  changes, 
which  through  the  unfearchable  wifdom  of  GOD,  turned 
;o  his  great' advantage,  and  made  way  for  his  future  ad- 
vancement, and  eminent  ufefulnefs.  About  this  time  Dr. 
Laud,  archbifliop  of  Canterbury,  and  chancellor  of  Ox- 
ford, impofed  feveral  fuperftitious  rites  on  the  univerfity 
upon  pain  of  expuliion.  Mr.  Owen  had  then  received 
fucli  light,  that  his  conference  would  not  fubmit  to  thofe 
impofitions  ;  however  temporal  intereil  might  plead  for 
his  compliance,  yet  other  more  weighty  conliderations  of 
a  religious  nature  prevailed  ;  for  now  GOD  was  forming 
impreiiions  of  grace  upon  his  foul,  which  infpired  him 
with  a  zeal  for  the  purity  of  his  worlhip,  and  what  he 
thought  to  be  reformation  in  the  church.  This  change 
jof  his  judgment  foon  difcovered  itfelf  upon  this  occafion, 
and  was  obferved  by  his  friends,  who  thereupon  foribok 
him  as  one  infecled  with  Puritanifm  ;  and  upon  the  whole 
he  was  become  fo  much  the  object  of  refentment  from  the 
Laudenfian  party,  that  he  was  forced  to  leave  the  college. 
We  rauft  remember  that  about  this  time  he  was  alfo 
exercifed  with  many  perplexing  thoughts  about  his  f pi  rit- 
ual flate,  which  joined  with  outward  difcouragements, 
-threw  him  into  a  deep  melancholy,  that  continued  in  its 
extremity  for  a  quarter  of  a  year  ;  during  which  time  he 
avoided  almoit  all  manner  of  converfe,  and  very  hardly, 
could  be  induced  to  fpeak  a  word,  and  when  he  did  fpeak, 

it. 


J.       OWE    N.  35  I 

it  was  with  fuch  diforder  as  rendered  him  a  wonder  unto 
many.  Though  his  diitrefs  and  melancholy  did  not  abide 
in  that  violence,  yet  he  was  held  under  very  great  trou- 
ble of  mind,  and  grievous  temptations  for  a  long  time, 
and  it  was  near  live  years  before  he  attained  to  a  fettled 
peace  :  in  which  fpace  the  all-wife  God,  who  detigncd 
him  for  fuch  eminent  fervice,  was  perfecting  his  convcr- 
iion,  and  at  lafl  brought  forth  judgment  unto  victory.  His 
very  great  troubles  and  diilrefles  of  foul  were  fucceeued 
with  a  great  degree  of  lading  ferenity  and  joy,  which 
more  than  recompenfed  his  pair  forrows  and  difficulties. 

When  the  wars  in  England  broke  out,  he  owned  the 
parliament's  caufe,  which  his  uncle,  who  had  maintained 
him  at  the  college,  being  a  zealous  royali(t>  fo  vehement- 
ly relented,  that  he  turned  him  at  once  out  of  his  favour, 
fettled  his  eftate  upon  another,  and  died  without  leaving 
him  any  thing.  He  lived  then  as  chaplain  with  a  perfon- 
of  honour,  who,  though  he  was  for  the  king,  ufed  him 
with  great  civility;  but  he  going  at  1  aft  to  the  king's 
army,  Mr.  Owen  left  his  houfe,  and  came  up  to  London  : 
Re  took  lodgings  in  Charter-houfe  Yard,  where  he  was 
a  perfect  Granger.  At  this  place  we  muft  confider  him. 
as  not  yet  freed  from  his  melancholy  and  fpiritual  trou- 
bles ;  but  now  we  may  obferve  the  wonderful  method 
G  ;-D  rook  to  work  a  perfect  cure  on  his  mind,  and  eafe 
him  of  all  his  fears  and  forrows  :  And  it  was  thus.  Ke 
went  one  Lord's  day  with  a  Mr.  Owen,  a  coufm  of  his, 
to  Aldermanbury  church,  with  expectation  of  hearing 
Mr.  Calamy.  He  waited  for  his  coming  up  into  the 
pulpit,  but  at  length  it  was  known  that  Mr.  Calamy  was 
prevented  by  fome  extraordinary  occafion  ;  upon  which 
many  went  out  of  the  church,  but  Mr.  Owen  refolded 
to  abids  there,  though  his  conlin  would  fain  haveperfuad- 
ed  him  to  go  and  hear  Mr.  Jackfon,  then  an  eminent 
preacher  in  the  city  ;  it  not  being  certain  wfc ether  there 
would    be  any   perfon  to   fupply    Mr.   Calamy ?s  place.- 

Mr-,- 


■  52  J.      OWE    N. 

Mr.  Owen  being  well  feated,  and  too  much  indifpofed 
for  any  farther  walk,  he  refolved  after  fome  ftay,  if  no 
preacher  came,  to  go  to  his  lodgings.  At  1  aft  there  came 
up  a  country  minifter  to  the  pulpit,  a  ftranger  not  only 
to  Mr.  Owen,  but  to  the  parifh ;  who  having  prayed 
fervently,  took  for  his  text  thefe  words,  Why  are  ye  fear- 
fid,  0  ye  of  little  faith  P  Matth.  viii.  16.  The  very 
reading  of  the  words  furprized  Mr.  Owen,  upon  which 
he  fecretly  put  up  a  prayer,  that  GOD  would  pleafe  by 
him  to  fpeak  to  his  condition  :  and  his  prayer  was  heard  ; 
for  in  that  fermon  the  minifter  was  directed  to  anfwer 
thofe  very  objections  which  Mr.  Owen  had  commonly 
formed  againft  himielf :  And  though  he  had  formerly 
given  the  fame  anfwers  to  himfelf  without  any  efFecl,  yet 
now  the  time  was  come  when  GOD  defigned  to  fpeak 
peace  to  his  foul ;  and  this  fermon  (though  otherwife  a 
plain  familiar  difcourfe)  was  bleft  for  the  removing  of 
all  his  doubts,  and  laid  the  foundation  of  that  folia!  peace 
and  comfort  which  he  afterwards  enjoyed  as  long  as  he 
lived. 

It  is  very  remarkable,  that  Mr.  Owen  could  never 
come  to  the  knowledge  of  this  minifter,  though  he  made 
the  moft  diligent  enquiry.  During  his  abode  at  the  Char- 
ter-houfe  he  wrote  his  book  called,  "  ADifplay  of  Armi- 
nianiim  ;"  which  met  with  fuch  acceptance,  as  made  way 
for  his  advancement.  It  came  out  in  1642,  a  very  fea- 
fonable  time,  when  thofe  errors  had  fpread  themfelves 
very  much  in  England  ;  fo  that  the  book  was  the  more 
taken  notice  of,  and  highly  approved  by  many.  There 
were  fome  confiderable  perfons  who  had  a  juft  fenfe  of 
the  ilue  uf  this  work,  and  did  not  fail  to  give  real  and 
particular  marks  of  their  refpect  to  fo  learned  an  Author. 
For  food  aft«  r  the  publishing  of  it,  the  committee  for 
pi  the       arch  of  fcandaious  minifters,  paid   fuch  a 

re       d    o  it,  that  M; .  \.  hite,  chairman  of  that  commit- 
tee,   lent  a  fpecial  meflenger  to  Mr.  Owen,  topreient  him 

the 


J.      O    W     E    N.  353 

the  living  of  Fordham  in  Eflex  ;  which  offer  he  the  more 
chearfully  embraced,   as  it  gave  him  an  opportunity  for 
the  ftated  exercile  of  his  mmiftry  :    He  went  thither  to- 
the  great  fatisfaction,  not  only  of  that   parifh,  but  of  the 
country  round  about.     He  continued  at  this  place  about 
a  year  and  a  half,  where  his  preaching  was  fo  acceptable, 
that  people  reforted  to  his  mmiftry  from  oilier  parilhes ; 
and  great  was  the  fuccefs    of  his  labours  in  the  reforma- 
tion "and  coaverfion  of   many,  through  the  hand  of  the- 
Lord  that  was  with  him.     Soon  after  he  came  to  Ford- 
ham,  he  married  a  gentlewoman    (whole  name  we  know 
not)   by    whom  he   had  fever al  children,    all   which  the 
doctor   outlived.     In    1644  he  published  his   diicourfe, . 
"  Of  the  dut)  of  pallors  and  people." 

Upon  a  report  that  the  fequeflred  incumbent  of  Ford- 
ham  was  dead,  the  patron,  who  had  no  kindnefs  for  Mr— 
Owen,  prefented  another  to  the  living;  whereupon  the 
people  at  Coggelhall,  a  market  town  about  five  miles  from 
thence,  earneitly  invited  him  to  be  their  miniiter  ;  and- 
the  earl  of  Warwick,  the  patron',  very  readily  gave  him  the 
living ;  which  favour  of  opening  a  door  for  preaching 
the  gofpel,  in  that  place,  he  thankfully  acknowledged  ; 
for  here  he  taught  a  more  numerous  and  judicious  con- 
gregation, feldom  fewer  than  two  thou  kind,  where  he 
found  the  people  generally  fober,  religious,  and  difcreet- 
A  very  fervent  affe&ion  was  cultivated  between  miniiter 
and  people,  to  their  mutual  joy  and  Satisfaction  ;  and 
here  alfo  he  met  with  great  fuccefs  in  his  minifhy,  and 
with  the  univerfal  approbation  of  the  inhabitants,  and  of 
the  country  round  about.  Hitherto  Mr.  Owen  had  fol- 
lowed the  prefbyterian  way  ;  but  he  was  put  upon  a  more 
diligent  enquiry  into  the  nature  of  church  government 
and  discipline.  After  a  due  fearch  and  ftudy  upon  this 
head,  he  was  fully  convinced  that  the  congregational  way 
was  mod  agreeable  to  the  rule  of  the  New  Teftament- 
His  j  udgment  in  this  matter  has  been  printed,  with  the 
O  g  %  fever  al 


354  J.     O     W     E     N. 

feveral  reafons  for  it,  in  two  quartos.     He  had  formed  a 
church  at  Coggefhall  upon  thefe  congregational  principles, 
according    to    his    own    light,    which     continued    long. 
The  worth  of  fo  great  a  man,  fo  eminent  a  light,  could 
no  longer  be  concealed  ;  his  fame   and  reputation  fpread 
both  through   city    and   country.     He  was  fent  for  to 
preach  before  the  parliament  :    This   fermon  is  entitled, 
"  A  vifion  of  free  Mercy,  &c"  on  Acts  xvi.   n.  April 
29,  1646.     He  pleads  for  liberty  of  confcience  and  mo- 
deration towards  men  of  different  perfuafions,  &c.  in  an 
*'  Effay   for  the   practice    of  church-government  in  the 
country,"  which  he   fubjoins   to   that  fermon.     In  the 
year  1643  he   publiihed  his  book,    entitled  "  The  death 
of  death  in  the  death  ofChrift."     He  dedicated  this  book 
to  Robert  earl  of  Warwick,  where  he  pays  his  tribute  of 
thanks  to  his  lordfhip  for  that   privilege  of  opening    the 
door  for  his  preaching  the  gofpel  at  Coggefiiall ;  and  in 
his  preface  to  the   reader  he  tells  us,  "  That    this  per- 
formance was  the  refnlt  of  more  than  feven  years  ferious 
enquiry  into  the  mind  of  GOD  about  thefe  things,  with  a 
perufal  of  all  which  he  could  attain,  that  the  wit  of  men 
in  former  or  later  days    hath  published  in   oppofition  to 
the  truth. "     It  is  a  noble  undertaking;  carried  on  with 
all   the  vigour  of  argument   and  learning,   of  which  he 
himfelf  was  fo  confcious,  that  though  the  molt  modeft 
and  humble  of  all  writers,  yet  he  fcrupled  not  to  declare, 
that  "  He  did  not  believe  he  fhould    live  to   fee  a  folid 
anfwer  given  to  it." 

Colcheiier  was  about  this  time  befieo-ed,  and  lord  Fair- 
fax,  general  of  the  parliament's  forces,  quartering  at 
Coggefiiall  fome  days,  he  became  acquainted  there  with. 
Mr.  Owen,  and  likewife  four  commiilioiiers  fent  by  the. 
houfe  down  into  Effex,  to  look  after  their  affairs  in  that 
county,  entered  into  ?.  converfation  with  him.  About 
this  time  alio  he  became  known  to  Cromwell,  who  hap- 
pened  to  hear  him.  preaxfh  and   folicited  .his  friendftnp- 

He 


J.     O     VT     E    N.  355 

Ks  acquainted  Mr.  Owen  with  his  intended  expedition 
into  Ireland,  and  deiiretl  his  company  to  reiide  there  in 
the  college  at  Dublin  ;  but  he  anfwered,  the  charge  of 
the  church  at  Coggeihall  would  not  permit  him  to  coujply 
with  his  requeit  :  Cromwell  was  not  fatisfied  with  the 
objection,  and  would  have  no  denial  ;  but  at  laft  from 
defircs  he  proceeded  to  commands,  and  reiolvedhe  iiiould 
go  :  at  the  fame  time  telling  him,  that  his  younger 
brother  (whom  he  dearly  loved)  was  to  go  as  il-andard- 
bearer  in  the  fame  army  :  He  not  only  engaged  his  bro- 
ther to  perfuade  him  to  a  compliance,  but  alio  wrote  to 
the  church  at  Coo;o;ei::all,  to  defire  leave  that  he  mi^ht 
go  with  him  to  Ireland  ;  which  letter  was  read  publicly 
amongft  them,  yet  they  were  utterly  unwilling  to  part 
with  him  on  this  occafion  :  but  at  length  Cromwell  told 
them  plainly,  he  mud  and  mould  go.     Mr.  Owen  con- 

'  iulted  feveral  minifters  about  it,  and  they  all  agreed  in 
their  advice  for  his  going ;  upon  which  he  prepared  for 
Ins  journey,  not  with  the  army,  but  more  privately.  He 
arrived  at  Dublin,  and  took  up  his  lodgings  in  the  col. 
lege,  preaching  there,  and  overfeeing  the  affairs  of  that 
eminent  fchool  of  learning.     Here  he  (laid  about- half  a 

!  year,  and,  with  Cromwell's  leave,  returned  into  Eno-land, 
and  went  to  Coggefhall,  where  he  was  joyfully  received. 
He  had  fcarce  time  to  take  breath  there,  being  foon  after 
called  to  preach  at  Vv'hitehall,  which  order  he  obeyed. 

In  September,  165c,  Cromwell  required  Mr.  Owen 
to  go  with  him  into  Scotland,  but  he  being  averfe  to  this 
jcurney  alfo,  the  general  procured  an  order  of  parlia- 
ment, which  left  no  room  for  any  objections.  He  ftaid 
at  Edinburgh  about  half  a  year,  and  then  returning  into 
England,  he  went  once  more  to  his  people  at  Coggefhall. 
He  hoped  upon  his  return  to  Coggeihall  after  this  jour- 
ney, to  have  fpent  the  remainder  of  his  days  there;  but 
he  mult  now  leave  his  private  fervice  of  being  overfeer 
to  s-eongregation  in  the  country,  to  prefide  over  a  col- 
lege 


3  56  J.       O     VT     E     N. 

lege  in  Oxford,  and  after  that  over  the  univerfity  then 
The  firft  intelligence  he  had  of  this  matter  was  by  one 
of  the  weekly  newipapers  at  Coggefhall  ;  and  foon  after 
he  received  a  letter  from  the  principal  ftucents  of  that 
college,  fignifying  their  defire  of  his  coming,  and  their 
great  fatisiaclion  in  the  choice  the  houfe  had  made  of  him 
to  be  their  dean.  With  the  confent  of  his  church  he 
went  to  Oxford,  and  fettled  there,  in  the  year-  1 651,  and 
in  the  following  year  he  was  chofen  vice-chancellor  of 
that  univerfity  ;  and  admitted  September  26,  1652,  in 
which  ofKce  he  continued  fucceiUvely  five  years.  About 
this  time  alfo  he  was  diplomated  doctor  of  divinity.  He 
took  care  in  managing  this  truft,  to  retrain  the  loofe, 
to  encourage  theibberand  pious,  to  prefer  men  of  learn- 
ing and  induflry;  and  under  his  adminifixation  •  it  was 
viiible,  that  the  whole  body  of  that  univerfity  was  reduced 
into  good  order,  and  flour iftied  with  a  number  of  excel- 
lent Icholars,  and  perfons  of  diftinguiihed  piety. 

When  men  are  advanced  to  places  of  power  and  autho- 
rity, they  often  difcover  a  magifterial  air,  and  fever ity 
of  temper  towards  inferiors,  and  generally  incline  to  be 
partial  in  the  diftribution  of  their  favours;  but  we  find 
a  very  different  temper  and  carriage  in  the  doctor  while 
he  fat  in  this  chair  of  honour  :  Among  the  feveral  inftan- 
ces  of  his  moderation,  fweetnefs  of  difpolition,  and  with- 
all  of  his  wifdom  and  gravity,  which  adorned  him  in  the 
difcharge  of  his  office,  we  may  take  thefe  few.  It  is  well 
known  that  then  the  prefbyterian  way  was  generally 
embraced  and  practifed,  and  the  perfons  with  whom  he 
mod  of  all  converfed  in  the  univerfity,  were  of  that 
judgment :  The  vice-chancellor  has  a  power  of  difpofmg 
of  feveral  vacant  livings,  and  at  that  time  there  were 
many  fuch  ;  and  thofe  that  fell  into  his  hands  he  general- - 
ly  gave  to  prelbyterians :  Nor  was  he  ever  wanting  to-*; 
oblige  even  the  epifcopal  party,  whom  he  fuffered  to  meet . 
quietly,  about  three  hundred  every  Lord's  day,   over- 

againfti 


J.       O     W     E     N.  357 

ao-ainft:  his  own  door,  where  they  celebrated  divine  fer- 
vice  according  to  the  liturgy  of  the  church  of  England ; 
and  though  he  was  often  urged  to  ir,  yet  he  would  ne- 
ver give  ihem  the  leaft  diiturbanse  ;  and  if  at  any  time 
they  met  with  oppofition  or  trouble  on  that  account,  it 
was  from  other  hands,  and  always  againfl  his  mind. 
This  moderation  of  temper  in  the  exercife  of  power, 
gained  him  the  love  and  refpect  of  the  moft  ;  yet  we 
muft  oblerve  aifo,  that  he  would  not  fuffer  authority  to 
be  flighted,  when  there  was  occafion  to  alTe#rt  it.  Bat 
while  he  retrained  the  loofe  and  diforderly,  he  failed  not 
to  mew  kindnefs  to  the  fober  and  ingenious.  He  was 
hofpitable  in  his  houfe,  generous  in  his  favours,  charita- 
ble to  the  poor,  efpecially  to  poor  fcholars,  fome  of  whom 
he  took  into  his  family,  and  maintained  them  at  his  own 
charge,  giving  them  academical  education. 

The  doctor's  government,  as  vice-chancellor,  took  up  a 
great  part  of  his  time,  together  with  other  avocations 
which  daily  attended  him  in  that  {ration ;  yet  notwith- 
ftanding  he  redeemed  time  for  his  ftudies  •,  preaching 
every  other  Lord's  day  at  St.  Mary's,  and  often  at  btad- 
ham,  and  other  places  in  the  country,  and  moreover  he 
wrote  fome  excellent  books,  of  which  we  mall  take  notice 
in  their  order.  In  the  year  1654  he  publilhed  his  book 
of  "  The  Saint's  Perfeverance,"  in  ani'wer  to  IMr.  John 
Goodwin's  book,  Redemption  Redeemed.  It  is  a  mafter- 
piece  of  this  kind,  full  of  clofe.  and  itrong  reafoning, 
whereby  he  has  enervated  all  the  fubtle  arguments,  and 
anfwered  all  the  objections  of  the  adverfary,  confirming 
the  truth  by  the  force  of  fcriptnre  evidence ;  and  in  the 
whole  has  given  the  world  an  example  of  a  rare  chftf- 
tian  temper  in  the  management  of  controverfy.  His 
preface  gives  us  an  account  of  the  entertainment  this  doc- 
trine has  had  in  all  ages  ;  what  acceptance  or  oppofition 
it  has  found  among  the  prcfefTors  of  chriflianity,  down  to 
the  time  when  he   wrote  :  There  is    a  great  variety  in 

this 


358  J.       OWE     N, 

this  preface    very   ufeful,  but   chiefly  calculated  for  the 
learned  world. 

In  1655  he  publifhed  his  book,  Vindic'uz  Evangelic*  ; 
Or,  iC  The  Myftery  of  the  Gofpel  vindicated,  and  Soci- 
nianifm  examined,"  which  was  chiefly  defigned  againft 
John  Biddle,  a  Socinian.  It  is  a  work  that  may  be  jnft- 
ly  efteemed  very  accurate  and  elaborate,  wherein  he  has 
cut  the  finews  of  the  Socinian  caufe,  and  {tabbed  it  to 
the  heart.  Hitherto  the  eminent  learning,  prudence, 
and  piety  0/  this  great  man,  had  difplayed  their  luftre 
in  a  public  and  honorable  ftation ;  but  the  time  was 
now  come  when  he  mud  retire  to  a  more  private  capa- 
city, wherein  he  failed  not  to  preferve  and  improve  the 
iame  excellent  qualifications,  and  fpread  his  ufefulnefs 
both  from  the  pulpit  and  the  prefs.  About  this  time 
he  pubiifhed  that  excellent  book,  entitled,  "  Commu- 
nion with  GOD,"  of  which  we  need  fay  the  lefs,  fince 
it  has  for  fo  many  years  recommended  itfelf  to  the  fpirit- 
ual  taile  of  ferious  and  judicious  chriftians :  He  was 
vice-chancellor  of  the  univeriity  till  1657,  when  he  gave 
place  to  Dr.  Conant ;  and  in  the  year  1659,  Dr.  Ed- 
ward Reynolds,  afterwards  biihop  of  Norwich,  fucceed- 
ed  him  in  the  deanry  of  Chriit- church  :  Nor  can  we 
wonder  at  thefe  changes  that  happened  to  a  particular 
perfon,  when  fo  great  alterations  in  the  whole  govern- 
ment were  moving  on,  till  they  iflued  in  the  reiteration 
of  K.  Charles  II. 

It  would  be  beyond  the  defign  of  thefe  Memoirs  to  en- 
ter upon  the  difputes  which  arofe  between  the  Doctor 
and  Mr.  Baxter,  relative  to  certain  political  affairs  :  The 
purpofe  of  this  volume  is  to  to  reprefent  to  view  what 
was  moft  valuable  in  good  men  of  feveral  denominations 
burying  in  oblivion  (if  poHible)  all  thofe  altercations, 
which,  could  we  now  know  their  minds,  they  would  wiili 
to  be  buried  too.  We  may  reflect  with  comfort,  that  they 
are  all  of  one  mind   in  their  Father's  houfe  above,  and 

are 


O     W     E     N. 


359 


r>re  now  eternally  iuperior  to  thofe  little  differences  and 
ilHtinctions,  which  perhaps  too  much  occupied  their  in- 
firmities below.  The  doctor  had  now  quitted  his  public 
itation  at  Oxford,  and  retired  to  Btadham,  the  place  of  his 
birth  in  that  county,  where  he  was  pofiefied  of  a  good 
eftate  :  fere  he  lived  privately  for  fome  time,  till  the 
perfecution  grew  fo  hot,  that  he  was  qblfged  to  remove 
from  place  to  place,  and  at  lail  came  to  London.  All 
which  time  he  was  not  idle,  but  employed  his  talents  like 
a  faithful  fervant  of  Chrift,  in  preaching  as  he  had 
opportunity,  and  in  writing  feveral  valuable  and  ufe- 
ful  books,  to  ferve  the  common  intereft  of  religion  and 
learning. 

The  year  1662  came  out  a  book,  called  Fiat  Lux,  writ- 
ten by  John  Vincent  Lane,  a  Francifcan  friar ;  wherein, 
under  the  pretence  of  recommending  moderation  and 
charity,  he  with  a  great  deal  of  fubtilty  invites  men  over 
to  the  church  of  Rome,  as  the  only  infallible  cure  of  all 
church  diviiions ;  two  impreflions  of  this  book  were 
printed  oft  before  the  doctor  had  feen  it;  at  length  it 
was  lent  him  by  a  perfon  of  honour,  who  delired  him  to 
write  an  anfwer  to  it ;  which  he  did  in  a  fhort  time : 
This  anfwer  bears  the  title  of  "  Animadversions  on  Fiat 
Lux  by  a  proteftanf ;"  which  being  generally  accepted, 
made  the  friar  very  angry,  fo  that  he  publiihed  a  meet 
or  two  by  way  of  reply,  which  produced  the  doctor's  an- 
fwer, entitled,  "  A  Vindication  of  Animadverfions  on 
Fiat  Lux,"  to  which  never  any  reply  was  given.  There 
was  fome  difficulty  in  obtaining  a  licence  for  this  lait 
book,  when  the  biihops  who  were  appointed  by  act  of 
parliament  the  principal  licencers  of  divinity-books  had 
examined  it:  They  made  two  objections  againft  it.  (1.) 
That  upon  all  occafions  when  he  mentions  the  evange- 
liih  and  apofiles,  even  St.  Peter  himfelf,  he  left  out  the 
title  of  faint.  (2.)  That  he  endeavours  to  prove,  that 
it   could   not  be  determined  that  St.   Peter  was   ever  at 

Rome. 


360  J.       OWE    N. 

Rome.  To  the  firft,  the  doctor  replied,  that  the  title  of 
evangelift,  or  apoflle,  by  which  the  fcripture  names  them, 
was  much  more  glorious  than  that  of  Saint  ;  for  in  that  i 
name  all  the  people  of  GOD  were  alike  honoured;  yet 
to  pleafe  them  he  yielded  to  that  addition  ;  but  as  to  the 
other  objections,  he  would  by  no  means  confent  to  any 
alteration,  unlefs  they  could  prove  him  to  be  miftaken  in 
his  afiertion,  and  rather  chofe  his  book  mould  never  fee 
the  light,  than  to  expunge  what  he  had  written  upon 
that  fubjecl ;  and  in  all  probability  it  had  never  been 
printed,  had  not  Sir  Edward  Nicholas,  one  of  his  majei- 
ty?s  principal  fecretaries  of  flate,  who  was  informed  of 
this  matter,  wrote  to  the  bilhop  of  London  to  licenfe  it 
notwithilanding  this  objection.  But  notwithstanding  all 
the  good  fervice  he  had  done  the  church  of  England  in 
his  anfwers  to  Fiat  Lux,  he  was  flill  persecuted  from 
place  to  place,  which  perpetual  trouble  inclined  him  te 
think  of  leaving  his  native  country,  having  received  an 
invitation  from  his  brethren  in  New-England  to  come 
thither;  and  in  1665  he  made  preparations  for  that  voy- 
age :  But  the  providence  of  GOD  diverted  him  from  that 
purpofe  :  For  now  the  dreadful  plague  was  begun,  which 
iwept  away  above  one  hundred  thoufand  ;  and  the  lamen- 
table fire  broke  out  in  London,  that  confumed  fo  great 
a  part  of  it. 

The  inhabitants  of  the  land  were  ftartled  by  thefe 
awakening  judgments  of  GOD,  fo  that  there  was  a 
ceiTation  for  fome  time  from  the  profecution  of  the  laws 
againft  the  diilenters  ;  vand  not  long  after  his  majefty's 
declaration  of  indulgence  to  his  proteftant-diffenting  fub- 
jects  came  out,  and  licences  were  granted  to  all,  that  de- 
liredthem,  for  public  aflemblies,  all  penal  laws  being  fuf- 
pended.  The  doctor,  who  had  lived  privately  in  Lon- 
don for  fome  years,  went  to  vifit  his  old  friends  at  Ox- 
ford, and  to  attend  fome.  affairs  of  his  own  eftate  not  far 
/rom  thence  5  but;  notwithilanding  all   his  privacy,    he 

was 


J.       OWEN.  361 

was  obferved,  and  intelligence  was  given  of  the  very  houfe 
where  he  lay  :  Upon  which  iome  troopers  came  and 
knocked  at  the  door  ;  the  miitrels  of  the  honfe  came  dowa 
and  boldly  opened  the  door,  afking,  What  they  would 
liave  ?  Who  thereupon  enquired  of  her,  Whether  me  had 
-any  lodgers  in  her  houfe?  Inftead  of  giving  a  direct  an- 
fwer  to  the  quefiion,  ihe  afked,  Whether  they  were  feek- 
ing  for  Doctor  Owen?  Yes,  faid  they;  me  told  them, 
He  went  from  my  houfe  this  morning  betimes.  Then 
.they  immediately  rid  away  :  In  the  mean  time  the  Doc- 
tor, who  Ihe  really  thought  had  been  gone,  (as  he  told 
Jier  he  intended)  arofe  and  went  into  a  field  near  the 
houfe  whither  he  ordered  his  horfe  to  be  brought,  and  fo 
rode  away  prefently  to  London.  Frefli  invitations  were  now 
given  him  to  go  to  New-England,  but  he  had  too  great  a 
love  for  his  native  country  to  quit  it,fo  long  aslthere  were 
any  opportunity  of  being  ferviceable  there ;  whilft  the  liberty- 
continued,  he  was  afliduous  in  preaching ;  and  it  was  no 
-fmall  encouragement,  that  now  the  people  who  had  been 
awakened  by  the  feveral  judgments  they  had  felt  in  fo 
fenfible  a  manner,  and  convinced  of  the  peaceablenefs  of 
the  nonconformifts,  of  enemies  now  became  their  friends 
and  advocates  ;  being  ready  to  protect  thofe  whom  thejr 
ufed  to  perfecute.  Now  the  Doctor  had  opportunity  of 
preaching  publicly,  and  fetting  up  a  lecture,  to  which 
many  perfons  of  quality  and  eminent  citizens  reforted  ; 
and  his  time  was  filled  up  with  other  ufeful  ftudiesr 
which  produced  feveral  valuable  books,  both  learned  and 
practical.  We  have  taken  notice  of  fome  of  the  moft 
confiderable,  and  intend  to  give  an  account  of  feveral 
others  in  their  order,  which  may  deferve  a  more  particu- 
lar obfervation. 

In  the  year  1668  he  publifhed  his  excellent  expofition 
of  the  cxxx  Pfalm.  It  was  calculated  for  the  fervice  of 
poor  diftreffed  fouls  in  their  depths  of  fpiritual  trouble ; 
there  he  had  treated  largely  of  gofpel  forgivenefs ;  and  in 
Jtf  h  the 


#62  j.      O    W     EN. 


•the  whole  he  has  with  all  plainnefs,  yet  with  a  moil  pen- 
etrating fpiritual  judgment,  confnlted  the  relief  of  fuch 
fouls,  who  all  of  perfons  in  the  world  (land  mod  in  need 
of  companion  ;  and  we  mall  only  add,  that  it  is  a  book 
.that  has  been  bleft  for  the  advantage  and  comfort  of  ma- 
ny, and  ever  grateful  to  the  fpiritual  cafe  of  all  good  per- 
sons. In  this  year  alio  he  published  the  firft  volume  of 
his  expofition  on  the  epiftle  to  the  Hebrews,  and  the 
/hree  other  followed  in  their  order,  the  la  ft  coming  out 
So  1684.  It  is  noteafy  for  us  to  give  a  full  account  of 
the  value  and  ufefulnefs  of  this  work,  it  is  filled  with  a 
great  variety  of  learning,  particularly  rabbinical,  which 
he  has  made  fer  vice  able  to  give  light  into  the  fubjecl  mat- 
ter chiefly  treated  of  in  this  epiitle ;  and  withall  he  has 
taken  care  to  adapt  his  cxpofition  to  the  fervice  of  the 
faith  and  comfort  of  chriftians,  and  to  recommend  the 
•practice  of  the  fubftantial  duties  of  religion,  fo  that  it  is 
hard  to  fay,  whether  the  fcholar  or  the  divine  fliine 
brighteft,  through  this  excellent  work.  He  fpeaks  of  it 
himfelfin  thefe  words.  "  It  is  now  fundry  years  fincel 
purpofed  in  myfelf,  if  GOD  gave  life  and  opportunity, 
to  endeavour,  according  to  the  meafure  of  the  gift  receiv- 
ed, an  expofition  of  the  Hebrews  ;  and  in  the  whole 
xourfe  of  my  ftudies  have  not  been  without  fome  regard 
thereunto  :  But  yet  I  mud  now  fay,  that  after  allfearch- 
ing  and  reading,  prayer  and  afiiduous  meditation  on  the! 
text  have  been  my  only  relerve  ;  careful  I  have  been  as 
of  my  life  and  foul  to  bring  no  prejudicate  fen fe  to  the 
words,  to  impofe  no.  meaning  of  my  own,  or  other  mens; 
upon  them,  nor  to  be  impofed  on  by  the  reafonings,  pre- 
tences,  or  curiofiti.es  of  any  ;  but  always  went  nakedly 
to  the  word  itfelf,  to  learn  humbly  the  mind  of  GOD  in 
it,  and  to  exprefs  it  as  he  fhali  enable  me."  Befides  the 
,  expofition  itfelf  there  are  very  learned  and  accurate  exer- 

citations,  which  ferve  to  illuftrate  many  difficult  parts  of; 

fcripture,  and  to  anfwer  the  defign  of  the  whole  ,work.;i 

we 


J.       OWE     N.  >6k 

we  fhall  only  obferve  farther,  that  here  the  doctor  has* 
enumerated  all  the  arguments,  and  anfwered  all  the  main 
objections  of  the  Socinians,  overthrown  entirely  their 
whole  icheme,  and  driven  them  out  of  the  field  ;  fo  that: 
whoever  reads  this  work  needs  fcarce  any  other  for  the" 
aiTailing  of  their  pernicious  errors. 

There  was  nothing  done  the  ieffion  of  parliament  i(56o/ 
againft  the  diflenters,  but  at  their,  next  meeting  they  drew' 
up  a  ieverer  bill  than  ever,  which  with  fome  difficulty 
was  at  length  paft :  When  the  bill  was  fent  up  to  the 
lords  and  debates  arofe  upon  it,  the  doctor  was  defired  to 
draw  up  fome  realbns  againft  it  in  the  intended  feverity 
of  it  :  He  did  fo,  and  it-was  laid  before  the  lords  by  fe~ 
veral  emyient  citizens  and  gentlemen  of  diftinction  : 
This  paper  is  called,  1  he  State  of  the  Kingdom,  with  re- 
fpeft  to  the  prefent  bill  againft  conventicles ;  but  it  did' 
not  prevail :  The  bill  was  carried,  and  paft  into  an  ad  ; 
all  the  bifoops  were  for  it  but  two,  viz.  dodtor  Wilkins 
biihop  of  Chefter,  and  doctor  Rainbow  bimop  of  Carlifle, 
whofe  names  ought  to  be  mentioned  with  honour  for  their 
great  moderation.  This  was  executed  with  feverity  to 
the  utter  ruin  of  many  perfons  and  families. 

His  difcourfe  concerning  the  Holy  Spirit  which  he  pub- 
limed  in  1 67  8  comes  next  under  our  particular  observa- 
tion ;  "  It  is  a  fubject  very  difficult  to  manage,  being  in 
itfelf  abftrufe  and  myfterious  (as  he  himfelf  obferves  irt 
the  preface)  and  beiides  the  oppofition  to  it  has  been  car^ 
ried  on  with  much  fcorn  and  public  contempt.7'  At  that: 
time  the  oppofition  to  the  deity,  and  personality  of  the 
Holy  Ghoft,  and  all  his  operations  with  refpeel:  to  the 
new  creation  rofe  to  a  very  great  height,  and  happy  it 
was  for  the  church  of  GOD,  that  this  excellent  perfort 
was  railed  up,  who  was  fo  well  fitted  to  explain  and  de- 
fend this  docVine.  He  has  told  us  in  the  preface,  that  her 
knew  not  of  any,  that  ever  went  before  him  in  the  de- 
fig  n  of  reprefenting  the  whole  ceconomy  of  the  Holy  Spi- 
rit, 


3$4  j.      OWE    N. 

rit,  w*ih  all  his  adjuncts,  operations,  and  effects;  The- 
necefiky  and  importance  of  treating  thus  fully  of  that 
fubjecl  is  evident  from  the  nature  of  it;  for  in  all  the 
difpenfations  of  GOD  towards  his  people  there  is  no 
good  communicated  to  them,  nothing  of  worth  or  excel- 
lency wrought  in  them  but  by  the  Holy  Spirit.  It  is  the 
doctor's  own  obfervation,  "  That  though  the  contradic* 
lions  of  fomein  former  ages  had  been  fierce  and  clamor- 
ous, yet  all  that  has  fallen  out  of  that  kind  has  been  ex- 
ceeding mort  of  what  is  come  to  pafs  in  the  d2ys  where- 
in we  live.  For  not  to  mention  the  Socinians  who  have 
gathered  into  one  head,  or  rather  ulcerous  impoftume, 
all  the  virulent  oppofitions  made  to  his  Deity,  or  grace, 
by  the  Photinians,  Macedonians,  and  Pelagians  of  old, 
there  are  others  who  profefiing  no  enmity  to  his  divine 
perfon,  yea  admitting  and  owning  the  do&rine  of  the 
church  concerning  it,  are  yet  ready  on  all  occafions  to> 
defpile  and  reproach  the  whole  work,  for  which  he  is 
promifed  under  the  Old  Teftament,  and  which  is  exprefly 
afiigned  to  him  in  the  New.  Hence  it  is  grown  among 
many  a  matter  of  reproach  and  fcorn  for  any  one  to 
make  mention  of  his  grace,  cr  to  profefs  that  work  of  his, 
as  his,  without  which  no  man  fhail  fee  GOD,  if  the 
ieripture  be   a   faithful  teitimony." 

Thus  we  fee  with  what  faithfulnefs  and  diligence  this 
great  man  employed  his  excellent  talents  for  the  fervice 
of  the  church  ;  he  was  frequently  writing  fome  book  or 
other  that  might  contribute  to  that  noble  defign  :  And 
though  it  might  feem  too  tedious  in  the  biilory  of  his  life 
to  take  notice  of  every  one  of  them,  yet  we  judge  it  very 
ncceflary  to  illuftrate  his  character  in  giving  a  particular 
account  of  thofe  which  have  defervedly  gained  a  great 
intereft  in  the  efteemof  learned  and  good  men*  Among 
which  we  mult  reckon  that  incomparable  treatife  he  pub- 
limed  in  1677,  entitled,  "  The  Doctrine'  of  J  unification 
by  Faith  through  the  Imputation  of  the-Righteoufnefs  of 

Chrift 


J.       O    W     E    N-  365 

Chriit  explained,  confirmed  and  vindicated ;"  wherein 
he  has  purfueel  a  method  and  deiign  that  required  a 
more  than  ordinary  judgment  and  (kill.  He  tells  us  in 
the  preface,  "  That  though  he  has  neceffarily  taken  fome 
pains  in  the  explication  of  that  doctrine,  which  has  been, 
involved  in  lb  many  and  very  intricate  difputes  among 
men  of  different  opinions,  yet  he  has  iniifted  chiefly  on 
the  interpretation  of  fcripture  teftimonies,  with  the  ap- 
plication of  them  to  the  experience  of  them  that  believe, 
and  the  ftate  of  them  who  feek  after  falvation  by  Jelus 
Chritt.  To  declare  and  vindicate  the  truth  to  the  initruc- 
tion  and  edification  offuchas  love  it  in  fmcerity ;  to  ex- 
tricate their  minds  from  thofe  difficulties  in  that  psrticu- 
lar  inftance,  which  fome  endeavour  ta  eaft  on  all  -the  my- 
fleries  of  the  gofpel ;  to  direct  the  coniciences  cf  them 
that  inquire  after  abiding  peace  with  GOD,  and  toeftafo- 
lifli  the  minds  of  them  that  do  believe,  are  the  things 
herein  aimed  at."  In  this  performanse  he  has  avoided 
the  unprofitable  jangling  of  perverfe  dilpntaiion,  where- 
with this  doctrine  of  j unification  has  been  generally  per- 
plexed, and  all  reflections  on  perfons  thatdiiter  from  him. 
"  He  profeffes  to  have  written  nothing  but  what  he  be- 
lieves to  be  true,  and  alfo  that  he  has  defigned  herein 
the  practical  direction  of  the  conferences  cf  men  in  their 
application  to  GOD  by  Jefus  Chriit,  for  deliverance  from 
the  curfe  due  to  the  apoitate  ftate,  and  peace  with  him,, 
with  the  influence  that  this  way  of  juftification-  has  upon 
univerfal  gofpel  obedience."  Whereby  he  has  effectual- 
ly removed  the  old  fcandalous  objection  againft  this  doc- 
trine, as  if  it  were  no  friend  to  holinefs,  end  did  giv& 
encouragement  to  loofe  practices,  which  is  as  old  as  the 
delivery  of  it  by  the  apoftle  Paul  himfeif,  and  is  by  him 
fully  refuted. 

It  was  not  poflible  the  real  worth  of  fo  excellent  a 
perfon  fhould  be  concealed  ;  and  in  many  inftanceshis  repu- 
tation fhone  out  with  fuch  luftxe  as  drew  the  admiration 
H  h  a  and 


366  J.       O     W     E    N. 

and  refpe&s  of  feveral  perfons  of  honour  and  qualit 
upon  him,  who  very  much  delighted  in  his  converfation 
particularly  the  earl  of  Orrery,  the  earl  of  Anglefea,  the 
lord  Willoughby  of  Parham,  the  lord  Wharton,  the* 
lord  Berkley,  Sir  John  Trevor,  one  of  the  principal  fe- 
cretaries  of  irate  ;  and  even  king  Charles  himfelf  and  the 
duke  of  York  paid  a  particular  refpeft  to  him.  When 
the  doctpr  was  drinking  the  waters  at  Tunbridge,  the 
duke- of  York  being  there,  fentfor  him  into  his  tent,  and 
feveral  difcourfes  palTed  between  them  about  the  diffen- 
ters  and  conventicles  ;  and  after  he  returned  to  London, 
the  king  himfelf  fent  for  him,  and  difcourled  with  him 
about  two  hours  together,  alluring  him  of  his  favour  and 
refpecl,  and  telling  him,  he  might  have  aceefs  to  him,  as 
he  would.  At  the  fame  time  the  king  was  pleafed  to 
alfure  the  doctor  how  much  he  was  for  liberty  of  confer- 
ence, and  how  fenfible  of  the  wrong  that  had  been  done 
to  the  diffenters ;  and  as  a  teftimony  hereof  gave  him  a 
thoufand  guineas  to  diftribute  among  thofe  who  had  fuf- 
fered  mod  by  the  late  feverities.  The  doctor  could  do 
no  lefs  than  thankfully  accept  his  majenVs  generofity, 
and  did  faithfully  apply  it  to  that  purpoie.  When  this 
was  known,  a  clamor  arofe  among  the  churchmen,  who 
reported  he  was  in  penfion,  to  ferve  the  papal  intereft  ; 
but  the  doctor  to.  wipe  off  this  vile  afperfon,  declares  fo- 
lemnly,  in  his  preface  to  the  firft  part  of  his  "  Enquiry 
into  the  Original  of  Evangelical  Churches,"  "  That 
never  any  one  perfon  in  authority,  dignity,  or  power  in 
this  nation,  nor  any  one  that  had  any  relation  to  public 
affairs,  nor  any  af  the  papifts  or  proteitants  did  ever 
ipeak  one  word  to  him,  or  advife  with  him  about  any  in- 
dulgence or  toleration  to  be  granted  unto  papifts,  and 
challenges ,  all  the  world  to  prove  the  contrary  if  they 
can."  'i  he  doctor  had  fome  friends  alfo  among  the  biih- 
©ps;  particularly  doctor  Wilkins  biihop  of  Chefier,  who 

was. 


J.       OWE    N,  367 

was  very  cordial  in  his  refpecls  to  him,  and  Dr.  Barlow, 
formerly  his  tutor,  then  bilhop  of  Lincoln. 

It  is  not  to  be  wondered  that  a  life  filled  up  with  fo 
many  labours  mould  decline  under  the  weight  of  infirmi- 
ties which  now  began  to  grow  upon  him.  Some  few 
years  before  lie  died  he  was  often  ill,  and  lbmetimes  con- 
fined to.  his  bed  or  chamber,  whereby  he  was  taken  off  in 
a  great  meafure  from  his  miniiferial  function,  but  not  alto- 
gether difabled  from  ferving  the  church  of  GOD  ;  and 
whenever  he  was  able  to  fit  up,  lie  would  be  continual- 
ly writing,  when  not  prevented  by  company,  and  ieveral 
excellent  books  were  compofed  by  him  ;  which  might  de- 
ferve  a  particular  notice  in  this  hiftory  ;  but  we  chooie 
not  to  fwell  it  with  fuch  accounts.  There  is  one  book 
which  claims  a  diitinct  regard  viz*  "  A  Declaration 
of  the  glorious  Myflery  of  the  perfon  of  Chrifr, 
GOD  and  Man,"  publillied  1679.  The  defign  of  this 
treatife  is  declared  in  a  large  preface  full  of  learning, 
wherein  he  mews  what  oppofition  has  been  in  all  ages 
made  to  the  perfon  of  Chri'ft,  by  Neftorians. .  Arians,  So- 
cinians,  and  others ;  that  this  doctrine  is  the  rock  on 
which  the  church  is  built,  and  the  gates  of  hell  mall  ne* 
vcr  prevail  againft  in ;  and  through,  the  whole  book  he 
pleads  the  caule  of  the  glory  of  Chrift,  his  deity  as  coef- 
fential  and  coeternal  with  the  Father,  and  irrefragrably 
proves,  that  divine  honour  and  religious  worfhip  is  due  to 
him,  againft  all  thefubtle  evasions  of  that  icheme  which 
is  in  our  days  afrefli  advanced  to  the  contempt  of  his  glo- 
rious perfon  :  In  one  word,  there  is  fuch  a  {train  of  piely, 
and  zeal,  and' learning  running  through  the  whole,  as 
renders  it  worthy  of  the  moit  ferious  perufal,  and  will 
endear  bis  memory  to  all  that  love  our  Lord  Jefus  in  fin- 
cerity.  Before  we  clofe  our  account  of  his*  works,,  we 
cannot  forbear  taking  notice  of  another  excellent  treatife 
nubliihed  by  him  1681,  intitled,  "  The  grace  and  duty 

cf 


3&S  J.       O     W     K    N. 

of  being  fpiritually  minded."  It  was  compofed  out  of 
his  own  deep  andfpiritual  meditations  originally  defigned  • 
for  his  own  ufe,  not  long  before  his  death  ;  and  in  it  he 
breathes  out  the  fentiments  and  devotion  of  a  mind  full  of 
heaven,  and  the  glories  of  that  better  world*  "  He 
wrote  it  (as  he  tells  us)  in  a  feafon  wherein  he  was  every 
way  unable  to  do  any  thing  for  the  edification  of  others, 
and  far  from  expectation  that  he  ever  ihould  be  able  any 
more  in  this  world.'7  And  after  he  had  communicated 
them  to  a  private  congregation,  being  convinced  how 
necelTary  and  feafonable  thefe  difcourfes  were  to  thepre- 
fent  Hate  of  profefibrs,  their  temper  and  carriage,  he  was 
induced  K>  fend  them  forth  to  the  benefit    of  the  church. 

He  bewails  the  carnal  frames  and  lives  of  profeiTocs? 
and  was  very  fenfible  that  if  the  prevalence  of  the  world 
over  the  minds  and  affections  of  chriftiarrs  be  not  pre- 
vented or  cured,  it  would  eat  out  the  very  heart  and  life 
of  true  religion.  This  difcourfe  was  defigned  as  an  an- 
tidote againft  this  growing  evil,  and  calculated  to  promote 
afpiritual  and  heavenly  frame  in  the  minds  of  profelfors ; 
end  we  cannot  but  recommend  it  to  the  diligent  perufal 
of  all  chriftians  at  this  day,  wherein  this  dangerous  dif- 
eafe  of  worldly  mindednefs  abounds.  We  might  alio 
mention  with  great  efteem  his  meditations  on  the  glory  of 
Chrifr.  in  two  parts,  which  give  us  an  ample  teftimony  of 
that  pious  and  heavenly  frame,  that  clear  and  intimate 
knowledge  of  the  glory  of  Chrifr,  and  that  fervent  love  to 
Chrift's  perfon,  which  filled  his  foul ;  there  he  thinks  and- 
writes  like  one  that  was  in  a  full  and  near  view  of  that 
unveiled  glory. 

Now  the  time  drew  near  when  he  muft  die,  and  after 
all  his  labours  and  fufferings  enter  into  the  joy  of  his 
Lord.  His  infirmities  of  body  grew  on  him  apace,  which 
obliged  him  to  retire  into  the  country  for  the  benefit  of 
the.  air.     He  went  to  Kingfton  and  lived  there  fome  time : 

One 


J.     O     W     E     NT.  369 

One  day  as  he  was  coming  from  thence  to  London  in.  the 
Strand,  two  informers  feized  upon  his  coach  and  horfes, 
upon  which,  a  mob  gathered  about  him  :  The  providence 
of  God  fo  ordered  it,  that  Sir  Edrnond  Bury  Godfrey 
came  by  at  that  time,  and  feeing  a  mob,  aiked  what  was 
the  matter?  And  being  a  juftice  of  the  peace,  he  order- 
ed the  informers  and  Dr.  Owen  to  meet  him  at  a  juftice 
of  the  peace  near  Bloomibury-Iquare  upon  a  clay  appoint- 
ed, and  lie  would  get  fome  others  of  his  brethern  to  be 
there  and  hear  the  caufe  :  They  met  accordingly,  and  Sir 
Edmund  being  in  the  chair,  upon  examining  the  whole 
matter  they  found  the  informers  had  acted  fo  very  ille- 
gally, that  they  difcharged  the  doctor,  and  feverely  re- 
primanded them  ;  after  which  he  was  no  more  difturbed. 
by  them. 

.  From  Kenfington  he  went  to  Ealing  where  he  had  a 
Loufe  of  his  own  ;  where  he  finiihed  his  courfe.  During 
which  time  he  employed  his  thoughts  in  the  contempla- 
tion of  the  other  world,  as  one  that  was  drawing  near 
to  it  every  day ;  which  produced  his  meditations  on  the 
glory  of  Chrift  beforementioned ;  in  which  he  breathed 
out  the  devotion  of  a  foul  that  was  growing  continually 
into  the  temper  of  the  heavenly  ftate*.  He  died  in  the 
67th  year  of  his  age,  Augufl  24,  1683,  Mr.  Payne  being 
intruded  by  Dr.  Owen  to  put  his  lafl  performance  to  the 
prefs,  came  in  to  fee  the  doctor  the  morning  of  that  day 
on  which  he  died,  and  told  him,  Doctor,  I  have  been  juft 
putting  your  book  "On  the  Glory  of  Ghrift"  to  the 
prefs;  to  which  the  doctor  anfwered,  "  I  am  glad  to 
hear  that  that  performance  is  put  to  the  prefs  •"  and  then 
lifting  up  both  hi$  hands  and  his  eyes,  as  in  a  kind  of 
rapture,  he  faid,  "  But,  O  brother  Payne,  the  long- 
looked  for  day  is  come  at  lafl,  in  which  I  (hall  fee  that 
glory  in  another  manner  than  I  have  ever  done  yet,  or 
was  capable  of  doing  in  this  world." 
^As  to  his  perfon,  his  ftaturc  wss  tail  his  vifage  grave, 

majeftic, 


370  J.     OWE     N. 

niajefuc,  and  comely  :  He  had  the  afpecl  and  deportment 
of  a  gentleman,  iuitable  to  his  birth.  He  had  a  very  large 
capacity  of  mind,  a  ready  invention,  and  good  judgment, 
a  great  natural  wit  which. being  improved  by  education, 
rendered  him  a  perfon  of  incomparable  abilities  :  As  to 
his  temper  he  was  very  affable  and  courteous,  familiar 
and  iociable  ;  the  meaneft  perfons  found  an  eafy  accei's  to 
his  converfe  and  friencHhip.  He  was  facetious  and  plea- 
iant  in  his  common  diicourfe,  jefting  with  his  acquain- 
tance, but  with  fobriety  and  meafure  ;  a  grea:  mailer  of 
his  paliions  elpecially  that  of  anger  :  He  was  of  a  ierene 
and  even  temper,  neither  elated  with  honour,  credit, 
friends,  or  eftate,  nor  depreft  with  troubles  and  dimcul- 
ties.  His  carriage  was  genteel,  in  nothing  mean  :  He 
was  generous  in  his  favours.  His'great  worth  drew  on 
him  the  refpedts  of  very  confiderabie  perfons,  fome  of 
the  beft  quality  at  home,  and  of  Grangers  from  foreign 
parts  who  reforted  to  him,  to  whom  he  always  carried 
himfelf  in  fo  obliging  a  manner,  that  he  was  greatly  val- 
ued beyond  fea. 

It  is  a  lofs  to  the  public  much  to  be  regretted,  that 
none  of  his  letters  can  now  be  found.  He  was  a  per- 
fon of  great  moderation  in  his  judgment,  and  of  a  chari- 
table fpirit ;  willing  to  think  the  beft  of  all  men  as  far  as 
he  could  ;  not  cenlorious  ;  a  lover  of  piety  in  men  of  dif- 
ferent profefiions,  not  confining  Chriftianity  within  the 
narrow  compafs  of  any  one  party  in  the. world  ;  a  ilndier 
of  peace,  and  a  promoter  of  it  among  profeffed  Chriitians. 
As  for  his  learning,  he  was  one  of  the  brighteft  ornaments 
of  the  univerfity,  a  perfect  m after  of  the  Latin,  Greek 
and  Hebrew  tongues.  He  was  a  great  philofopher  ;  and 
alfo  well  read  in  the  civil  law.  A  great  hiftorian ;  hav- 
ing a  great  comprehenfion  of  church  hittory  in  particular. 
He  was  thoroughly  verfed  in  all  the  Greek  and  Latin  po-^ 
ets;  well  {killed  ,in  the  rabbins,  and  made  great  ufe  of 
them  as  there  was  occaiion.     He  was  an-excellent  divine. 


J.       O     W     EN.  37I 

.05  appears  by  his  writings ;  unwearied  he  was  in  his  ftu- 
dies,  and  his  proficiency  was  anfwerable  ;  his  labours  both 
in  writing  and  preaching,  and  other  fervices  peculiar  to 
his  function  as  a  minifler  of  the  gofpel,  and  pallor  of  a 
church,  were  incredible.  He.  was  well  (killed  in  polemi- 
cal divinity,  as  appears  in  his  learned  works  againft  the 
papifts,  focinians,  arminians,  &o  His  piety  and  devotion 
were  very  eminent,  his  experimental  knowledge  of  fpirit- 
ual  things  very  great,  as  his  difcourfes  on  mortification, 
temptation,  indwelling-fin,  communion  with  God,  his 
expofition  on  the  cxxxth  Pialm,  &c  do  Sufficient  eyince. 
In  all  relations  he  behaved  himfelf  as  a  great  Chriftian,  a 
faithful  and  a  loving  hufoand,  a  tender  father,  a  good 
mailer,  and  a  prudent  governor  when  he  was  in  places 
of  honour  and  fervice  ;  and  a  very  dutiful,  peaceable  fubject- 
He  was  well  acquainted  with  men  and  things,  and  would 
give  a  fhrewd  guefs  at  a  man's  temper  and  defigns  upon 
the  firft  acquaintance.  He  was  an  excellent  preacher, 
having  very  good  elocution,  graceful  and  affectionate. 
He  could  on  all  occafions,  on  a  iudden  without  any  pre- 
meditation exprefs  himfelf  well  and  pertinently  on  any 
Subject;  yet  were  his  Sermons  moftly  well  Studied  and 
digefted  ;  nor  did  he  generally  ufe  notes  in  the  pulpit. 

He  was  indeed  richly  furnifhed  with  all  the  (tores  of 
learning,  which  admirably  fitted  him  for  the  defence  of 
the  truth  againft  the  mod  Subtle  adverfaries  ;  and  it  plain- 
ly appears  by  his  writings  that  he  was  railed  up  by  di- 
vine providence  to  be  an  inftrument  of  diffufing  a  very 
clear  knowledge  of  gofpel  truths,  and  of  preserving  them 
from  the  defigns  of  corrupt  and  perverfe  men :  And, 
with  all  this  treafure  of  human  learning,  there  was  ano- 
ther almoft  lingular  qualification  in  him  ;  that  he  was 
able  and  ready  to  apply  himfelf  to  all  practical  cafes  of 
confcience,  and  had  a  rare  faculty  of  fpeaking  a  word  in 
feafon  to  thofe  under  temptation,  defertion  and  affliction- 
A  nio'ft  happy  conjunction  indeed  of  great  learning  and 

Spiritual 


372  J.       OWE     N. 

fpiritual  experience,  which  he.  had  the  wifciorri  and  faith- 
fulnefs  to  apply  to  the  belt  purpofes  ;  and  when  he 
handled  any  polemical  fubjecf  in  divinity.,  he  was  always 
careful,  where  the  cafe  would  admit,  to  confult  the  be- 
nefit and  comfort  of  believers,  and  the  advancement  of 
the  power  of  godlinefs :  Nor  can  we  pafs  over  his  admira- 
ble christian  temper  in  managing  controverfy ;  for  though 
perfons  are  generally  apt  to  be  warm  in  throwing  out 
reflections  and  farcafms  againft  their  adverfaries,  yet  fo 
gjrave  and  meek  a  difpofition  did  he  preferve  throughout 
his  writings,  that  there  has  fcarce  any  thing  dropped  from 
hjs  pen  but  what  becomes  the  character  of  a  folid  divine, 
arid  an  excellent  chriftian. 

There  is  fomething  fo  pathetic  in  the  Doctor's  loft  com- 
■pofition,  that  the  ferious  reader  will  certainly  be  glad  t» 
perufe  it-: 

u  To  Charles  Fleetwood,  Efq. 

■*  Dear  Sir, 
<c  ALTHOUGH  I  am  not  able  to  write  one  word 
?«yfelf,  yet  I  am  very  defirous  to  fpeak  one  word  more 
to  you  in  this  world,  and  do  it  by  the  hand  of  my  wife. 
The  continuance  of  your  intire  kindnefs,  knowing  what 
it  is  accompanied  withal,  is  not  only  greatly  valued  by 
me,  but  will  be  refrelhment  to  me,  as  it  is  even  in  my 
xlying  hour.  I  am  going,  to  him  whom  my  foul  has  lov- 
ed, or  rather  who  has  loved  me  with  an  everlafting  love, 
which  is  the  whole  ground  of  my  confolation.  The  paf- 
fage  is  very  irkfome,  and  wearifome,  through  ftrong 
pains  of  various  forts  which  are  all  iflued  in  an  intermit- 
ting fever.  All  things  were  provided  to  carry  me  to 
London  to-day,  according  to  the  advice  of  my  phyficiansj 
but  we  are  all  difappointed  by  my  utter  difability  to  un- 
dertake the  journey.  I  am  leaving  the  ihip  of  the  church 
in  a  ftorm ;  but  whilft  the  great  Pilot  is  in  it,  the  lofs  of 

a  poor 


P     L     A    V     E     L. 


373 


a  poor  undcr-rower  will  be  inconfiderable.  Live,  and 
pray,  and  hope,  and  wait  patiently,  and  do  not  deipond  ; 
the  prom iie  itands  invincible,  that  God  will  never  leave 
us,  nor  for  fake  us.  I  am  greatly  afflicted  at  the  diftemp- 
ers  of  your  dear  lady ;  the  good  Lord  Hand  by  her,  and. 
fupport  and  deliver  her.  My  affectionate  refpects  to  her, 
and  the  reft  of  your  relations,  who  are  fo  dear  to  me  in 
the  Lord.  Remember  your  dying  friend  with  all  ferven- 
cy ;  I  reft  upon  it,   that  you  do  fo,  and  am 


Auguft  22,   1683. 


Yours  entirely, 

John  Owen. 


N.  B.  The  ©odor -died  Auguft  24th,  ttvo  days  after- 
:er\vards. 


g&===*======= '■ =======^5 


JOHN     FLAVEL, 


MR.  JOHN  FLAVEL  was  born  in  Worcefterfliire. 
He  was  religioufly  educated  by  his  father,  and, 
having  profited  well  at  the  grammar  fchools,  was  fent 
early  to  Oxford,  and  fettled  a  commoner  in  Univerfity- 
1  ■  College 


374  FLA     V     E    X. 

College.     He  plied  his  ftudies  hard,  and  exceeded  many 
of  his  contemporaries  in  univerfity  learning. 

Soon  after  his  commencing  bachelor  of  arts,  Mr.  Wal- 
piate,  the  minifter  of  Deptford  in  the  county  of  Devon, 
was  rendered  incapable  of  performing  his  office  by  reafon 
of  his  age  and  infirmity,  and  fent  to  Oxford  for  an  aflif- 
tant ;  Mr.  Flavel,  though  but  young,  was  recommended 
to  him  as  a  perfon  duly  qualified,  and  was  accordingly 
fettled  there  by  the  ftandin  g  committee  of  Devon,  April  27, 
1650,  to  preach  as  a  probationer  and  aflifbnt  to  Mr. 
Walplate. 

Mr.  Flavel,  confidering  the  weight  of  his  charge,  ap- 
plied him  1  elf  to  the  work  of  his  calling  with  great  dili- 
gence ;  and  being  afiiduous  in  reading,  meditation,  and 
prayer,  he  increafed  in  ministerial  knowledge  daily,  fo 
that  he  attained  to  an  high  degree  of  eminency  and  repu- 
tation for  his  ufeful  labours  in  the  church. 

About  fix  months  after  his  fettling  at  Deptford,  he 
heard  of  an  ordination  to  be  at  Salifbury,  and  therefore 
■went  thither  with  his  teftimonials,  and  offered  himfelf  to 
be  examined  and  ordained  by  the  prefbytery  there  :  They 
appointed  him  a  text,  upon  which  he  preached  to  their 
^general  fatisfaction  ;  and  having  afterwards  examined  him 
as  to  his  learning,  &c.  they  fet  him  apart  to  the  work  of 
the  miniftry,  with  prayer  and  impofition  of  hands,  on 
the  1  7th  day  of  October,   1 650. 

Mr.  Flavel,  being  thus  ordained,  returned  to  Dept- 
ford, and  after  Mr.  Walplate's  death  fucceeded  in  the 
rectory.  To  avoid  all  incumbrances  from  the  world,  and 
avocations  from  his  ftudies  and  minifterial  work,  he  chofe 
a  perfon  of  worth  and  reputation  in  the  pariih  (of  whom 
he  had  a  good  afiurance,  that  he  would  be  faithful  to  him- 
felf, and  kind  to  his  parifhioners)  and  let  him  the  whole 
tithes  much  below  the  real  value,  which  was  very  well 
plcafmg'  to  his  people..     By  this  means  he  was  the  better 

able 


F    L    A    V     E    L.      •  jyf 

able  to  deal  with  them  in  private  ;  fince  the   hire  of  his 
labours  was  no  way  a  hindrance  to  the  fuctefs  of  them. 

Whilft  he  was  at  Deptford  he  married  one  Mrs-  Joan 
Randal,  a  pious  gentlewoman,  of  a  good  family,  who 
died  in  travail  of  her  iirtt  child,  without  being  delivered. 
His  year  of  mourning  bemg  expired,  his  acquaintance  and 
intimate  friends  adviied  him  to  marry  a  fecond  time, 
wherein  he  was  again  very  happy,  Her  name  was  Eliza- 
beth Morrice.  Some  time  after  this  fecond  marriage,  the- 
people  of  Dartmouth  (formerly  under  the  charge  of  the 
reverend  Mr.  Anthony  Hartford,  deceafecl)  unanimoudy 
chofe  Mr.  Flavel  to  lucceed  him.  They  urged  him  to 
accept  their  call,  (i.)  Becaufe  there  were  exceptions 
made  ap-ainit  all  the  other  candidates,  but  none  a<rainft 
him.  (2.)  Becauie,  being  acceptable  to  the  whole  town, j 
he  was  the  more  like  to  be  an  imtriinient  of  healing  the 
breaches  among  the  good  people  there.  (3.)  B'ecaufe 
Dartmouth,  being  a  considerable  and  populous  town,  re- 
quired an  able  and  eminent  minifter,  which  was  not  lb 
neceffary  for  a  country  pariih,  that  might  beiidesbe  more 
eaiily  fupplied  with  another  paftor  than  Dartmouth. 

That  which  made  them  more  prefhng  and  earned  with 
Mr.  Flavel,  was  this  :  At  a  provincial  fyncd  in  that 
county,  Mr.  Flavel,  though  but  a  young  man,  was  voted 
into  the  chair  as  moderator,  where  he  opened  th«  affem- 
bly  with  a  moil  devout  and  pertinent  prayer  :  He  exa- 
mined the  candidates  who  offered  themfelves  to  their 
trials  for  the  miniftry  with  great  learning  ;  dated  the 
cales  and  quellions  propofed  to  them  with  much  acuteiiefs 
and  judgment ;  and  in  the  whole  demeaned  himfelf  with 
that  gravity,  piety,  and  ierioulnefs,  during  his  preceden- 
cy, that  the  miniilers  of  the  aiTembly  admired  and  loved 
him.  The  reverend  Mr.  Hartford,  his  pred-cefibr  at; 
Dartmouth,  took  particular  notice  of  him,  from  thai 
time  forward  contracted  a  ftrift  friendftiip  v/ith  him,  and 

fpoke 


$7$  F     L     A     V     E     L. 

fpoke  of  him  among  the  magifrrates  and  people  of  Dart- 
mouth, as  an  extraordinary  peribn,  who  was  like  to  be 
a  great  light  in  the  church.  This,  with  their  having  fe- 
veral  times  heard  him  preach,  occafioned  their  importu- 
nity with  Mr.  Flavel  to  come  and  be  their  minifler  ;  upon 
which,  having  prayed  over  the  matter,  and  fubmitted  it 
to  the  decifion  of  his  neighbouring  minifters,  he  was  pre- 
vailed upon  to  remove  to  Dartmouth,  to  his  great  lofsin 
temporals,  the  rectory  of  Deptford  being  a  much  greater 
benefice. 

Mr.  Flavel  being  fettled  at  Dartmouth  by  the  election 
of  the  people,  and  an  order  from  Whitehall  by  the  com- 
miifioners  for  approbation  of  public  preachers,  of  the  19th 
of  December  1656,  he  was  aflbciated  with  Mr.  Allen 
Gear,  a  very  worthy  but  fickly  man.  The  rninifteriai 
work  was  thus  divided  betwixt  them  ;  Mr.  Flavel  was  to 
preach  on  the  Lord's  day. at  Townftall,  the  mother  church, 
ilanding  upon  a  hill  without  the  town ;  and  every  fort- 
night in  his  turn  at  the  Wednesday's  lecture  in  Dart- 
mouth. Here  GOD  crowned  his  labours  with  many 
converiions.  One  of  his  judicious  hearers  expreiredhim- 
ielf  thus  concerning  him  :  '  I  could  fay  much,  though 
'  not  enough,  of  the  excellency  of  his  preaching  ;  of  his 

*  feafonable,  Suitable,  and  fpirkual  matter  ;  of  his  plain 
'  expofitions  of  fcripture ;   his  taking  method,  his  genu-- 

*  ine  and  natural  deductions,  his  convincing  arguments, 
'  his  clear  and  powerful  demunilrations,  his  heart-fearch- 

*  ing  applications,  and  his  comfortable  fupports  to  thofe 

*  that  were  afflicted  in  confcience.  In  fliort,  that  perlbn. 
4  muft  have  a  very  foft  head,  or  a  very  hard  heart,  or 
4  both,  that  could  fit  under  his  miniftry  unaffected. ' 

By  his  unwearied  application  to  ftudy,  he  had  acquired 
a  great  flock  both  of  divine  and  human  learning.  He  was 
mailer  of  the  controverfies  betwixt  the  Jews  and  Chrif- 
tians,  Papiits  and  Proteftants,  Lutherans  and  Calvinifts, 
and  betwixt  the  orthodox  and  Arminians  and  Socinians  : 

He 


F     L     A    V     E     L.  377 

He  was  likewise  well  read  in  the  controversies  about" 
church  dilcipline,  infant  baptifrn,  and  aritinomianifm.  He 
was  well  acquainted  with  the  l'chool  divinity,  ana  drew 
up  a  judicious  and  ingenious  fcheme  of  the  whole  body 
of  that  theology  in  good  Latin,  which  he  prefented  to  a 
perfon  of  quality  ;  but  it  was  never  printed.  He  was 
iingularly  well  verfed  and  exact  in  the  oriental  langua- 
ges. He  had  one  way  of  improving  his  knowledge,  which 
is  very  proper  for  young  divines;  whatever  remarkable 
paflage  he  heard  in  private  conference,  if  he  was  familiar 
with  the  relater,  he  would  defire  him  to  repeat  it  again, 
and  inierted  it  into  his  Adverfaria  :  By  thefe  methods  he 
acquired  a  vaft  ilock  of  proper  materials  for  his  popular 
fermons  in  the  pulpit,  and  his  more  elaborate  works  for 
the  prefs. 

He  had  an  excellent  gift  of  prayer,  and  was  never 
at  a  lofs  m  all  his  various  occafions  for  luitable  matter 
and  words  ;  and,  which  was  the  moil  remarkable  of  all, 
he  always  brought  with  him  a  broken  heart  and  moving 
affections ;  his  tongue  and  fpirit  were  touched  with  a  live 
coal  from  the  altar,  and  he  was  evidently  aififted  by  the 
Holy  Spirit  of  grace  and  iupplication  in  that  divine  or- 
dinance. Thofe,  who  lived  in  his  family,  fay,  c  That  her 
'  w.as  always  full  and  copious  in  prayer,  feenied  ebnflant- 
'  ly  to  exceed  himfelf,  and  rarely  made  ufe  twice  of  the 
*  fame  expreflions.' 

When  the  act  of  uniformity  turned  him  out  with  the 
reft  of  his  nonconforming  brethren,  he  did  not  thereupon 
quit  his  relation  to  his  church ;  he  thought  the  fouls  of 
his  flock  to  be  more  precious  than  to  be  io  tamely  neg- 
lected :  He  took  all  opportunities  of  miniftring  the  word 
and  facraments  to  them  in  private  meetings,  and  joined 
wkh  other  minifters  in  folemn  days  of  fading  and  humilia- 
tion, to  pray  that  GOD  would  once  more  reftore  the  free 
mkiiftration  of  the  gofpeh  About  four  months  after  that 
fatal  Bartholomew-day,  his  reverend  colleague  Mr.  Allen- 
Gear,  died }  fo  that  the  whole  care  of  the  flock  devolved 
I  i  2  noon 


378  F     L     A     V     E     L, 

upon  Mr.  Flavel,  which,  though  a  heavy  and  preffing 
burden,  he  undertook  very  chearfully. 

Upon  the  execution  of  the  Oxford  ac%  which  banilhed 
all  nonconforming  minifters  five  miles  from  any  towns 
which  lent  members  to  parliament,  he  was  forced  to  leave 
Dartmouth,  to  the  great  forrow  of  his  people,  who 
followed  him  out' of  town ;  and  at  Townftall  church- 
yard they  took  fuch  a  mournful  farewei  of  one  another, 
as  the  place  might  very  well  have  been  called  Bochim. 
He  removed  to  Slapton,  a  pariih  five  miles  from  Dart- 
mouth, or  any  other  corporation,  which  put  him  out  of 
the  legal  reach  of  his  adverfaries.  Kere  he  met  with 
iignal  inftances  of  GOD's  fatherly  care  and  protection, 
and  preached  twice  every  Lord's  day  to  fuch  as  durft  ad- 
venture to  hear  him,  which  many  of  his  own  people  and 
ethers  did,  notwithstanding  the  rigor  and  ieverity  of  the 
act  againft  conventicles.  He  many  times  flipped  private, 
ly  into  Dartmouth,  where,  by  preaching  and  converfa- 
tion.  he  edified  his  flock,  to  the  great  refreihment  of  his 
own  foul  and  theirs,  though  with  very  much  danger,  be- 
caufe  of  his  watchful  adverfaries,  who  conftantly  laid  wait 
for  him,  ib  that  he  could  not  make  any  long  itay  in  the  town. 

In  thole  times  Mr.  Flavel,  being  at  Exeter,  was  in- 
vited to  preach  by  many  good  people  of  that  city,  who 
for  fafety  chofe  a  wood  about  three  miles  from  the  city 
to  be  the  place  of  their  aflembly,  where  they  were  broke 
up  by  their  enemies  by  that  time  the  fermon  was  well 
4begun.  Mr.  Flavel,  by  the  care  of  the  people,  made  his 
eicape  through  the  middle  of  his  enraged  enemies  :  And 
though  many  of  his  hearers  were  taken,  carried  before 
juitice  Tuckfield,  and  fined;  yet  the  red,  being  nothing, 
difcouraged,  re-afTembled,  and  carrying  Mr.  Flavel  to 
another  wood,  he  preached  to  them  without  any  diftur- 
bance;  and,  after  he  had  concluded,  rode  to  a  gentleman's 
houfe  near  the  wood,  who,  though  an  abfolute  ftranger 
to  Mr.  Flavel,   entertained  him  with  great  civility  that 

n^ht* 


r     L     A     V     E     L.  379 

night,  and  the  next  day  he  returned  to  Exeter  in  fafety« 
Amongft  thofe  taken  at  this  time,  there  was  a  tanner, 
who  had  a  numerous  family,  and  but  a  fmall  ftockj  he 
was  lined  notwithstanding  in  forty  pounds,  at  which  he 
was  nothino-  difcouraged ;  but  told  a  friend,  who  afked 
him  how  he  bore  up  under  his  lofs,  '  That  he  took  the 
'  fpoiling  of  his  .-  ,  for  the   fcke  of  his  Lord 

*  Jefus,  for  whom  his   life  and   all  that  he  had  was    too 

*  little.' 

As  foon  as  the  nohconformifts  had  any  refpite  from 
their  trouble,  Mr.  Flavel,  laid  hold  of  the  opportunity, 
and  returned  to  Dartmouth,  where,  during  the  £rft  in- 
dulgence granted  by  K.  Charles  II.  he  kept  open  doors, 
and  prerched  freely  to  all  that  would  come  and  hear 
him  ;  and  when  that  liberty  was  revoked,  he  made  ic 
his  bufinefs,  notwithstanding,  to  preach  in  .feafon  and  out 
of  feafon,  and  feldom  milled  an  opportunity  of  preaching 
on  the  Lord's  day.  During  this  time,  GOD  was  pleafed 
to  deprive  him  of  his  fecond  wife,  which  was  a  great  af- 
fliction, flie  having  been  a  help  meet  for  him  ;  and  fuch 
an  one  he  flood  much  in  need  of,  being  a  man  of  an  in- 
firm and  weak  con  (fit  ut  ion,  who  laboured  under  many 
infirmities.  In  convenient  time  he  married  a  third  wife, 
Mrs.  Ann  Downe,  daughter  of  Mr.  Thomas  Downe, 
mmiiter  at  Exter,  who  lived  with  him  very  happily  eleven 
\ears,  and  left  him  two  fens. 

The  perfecution  againft  the  nonconformists  being  re- 
newed, Mr.  Flavel  found  it  unfafe  today  at  Dartmouth, 
and  therefore  refolved  to  goto  London,  where  he  hoped 
to  be  in  lefs  danger,  and  to  have  more  liberty  to  exercife 
his  function.  The  night  before  he  embarked  for  that 
end,  he  had  the  following  premonition  by  a  dream  :  He 
thought  he  was  on  board  the  fhip,  and  that  a  fform  arofe 
which  exceedingly  terrified  the  pafiengers ;  during  their 
confternation,  there  fat  writing  at  the  table  a  perfon  of 
^dmirable   fagacity  and    gravity,  who   had  a   child  in  a 

cradle 


38o  F     L     A    V     E     L. 

cradle  by  hire,  that  was  very  f reward  ;  he  thought  he 
law  the  father  take  up  a  little  whip,  and  give  the  child  a 
lain,  laying,  i  Child  be  quiet,  I  will  discipline,  but  not 
1  hurt  thee.'  Upon  this  Mr.  Flavet  awaked,  and  mufing 
on  his  dream,  he  concluded  that  he  ihould  meet  with  Tome 
trouble  in  his  paflage.  His  friends,  being  at  dinner  with 
him,  allured  him  of  a  pleafant  paiTage,  becaufe  the  wind 
and  weather  were  very  fair  :  Mr  Flavel  replied,  "  That 
t(  he  was  not  of  their  mind,  but  expecled  much  trouble 
"  becaufe  of  his  dream  •"  adding,  "  that  when  he  had 
u  fuch  reprefentations  made  to  him  in  his  deep,  they 
cl  ieldom  or  never  failed. " 

Accordingly,  when  they  were  advanced  within  five 
leagues  of  Portland  in  their  voyage;  they  were  overtaken 
by  a  dreadful  tempeft,  infomuch  that,  betwixt  one  and 
two  in  the  morning,  the  mafter  and  feamen  concluded, 
that  unlefs  GOD  changed  the  wind,  there  was  no  hope 
of  life  ;  it  was  impoihble  for  them  to  weather  Portland, 
fo  that  they  mull  of  necefhty  be  wrecked  on  the  rocks 
or  on  the  more.  Upon  this  Mr.  Flavel  called  all  the 
hands  that  could  be  f pared  into  the  cabin  to  prayer;  but 
the  violence  of  the  tempeffc  was  inch,  that  they  could 
not  prevent  themfelves  from  being  thrown  from  the  one 
lide  unto  the  other,  as  the  ihip  was  tofied;  and  not  only 
fo,  but  mighty  feas  broke  in  upon  them,  as  if  they  would 
have  drowned  them  in  the  very  cabin.  Mr.  Flavel  in 
this  dinger  took  hold  of  the  two  pillars  of  the  cabin  bed, 
and  calling  upon  GOD,  begged  mercy  for  himfelf  and 
the  relt  in  the  ihip.  AmongTt  other  arguments  in  pray- 
er, he  made  ufe  of  this,  that  if  he  and  his  company  perill- 
ed in  that  ftorm,  the  name  of  GOD  would  be  blafphemed; 
the  enemies  of  religion  would  fay,  that  though  he  efcaped 
their  hands  on  more,  yet  divine  vengeance  had  overtaken 
him  at  fea.  In  the  midft  of  prayer  his  faith  and  hope 
were  railed,  infomuch  that  he  expected  a  gracious  an- 
fwer  ;.  fo  that;  committing  himfelf  and  his  companions 

to 


F     L     A     V     E     L.  38x 

to  the  mercy  of  GOD,  he  concluded  the  duty.  No 
iboner  was  prayer  ended,  but  one  came  down  from  the 
deck,  crying!  *  Deliverance  !  Deliverance  !  COD  is  a 
c  COD  hearing -prayer  I  In  a  moment  the  wind  is  become 
'  fair  weft !'  And  fo  failing  before  it,  they  were  brought 
iafely  to  London.  Mr.  Flavel  found  many  of  his  old 
friends  there  ;  and  GOD  railed  him  new  ones,  with  abun- 
dance of  work,  and  extraordinary  encouragement  in  it. 
During  his  fby  in  London,  he  married  his  fourth  wife, 
a  widow  gentlewoman  (daughter  to  Mr.  George  Jeifer- 
ies,  formerly  minifter  of  King's  Bridge)  who  furvived 
him. 

Mr.  Flavel,  while  he  was  in  London,  narrowly  efcap- 
ed  being  taken,  with  the  reverend  Mr.  Jenkins,  at  Mr. 
Fox's  in  Moorfielcls  where  they  were  keeping  a  day  of 
fafting  and  prayer.  He  was  ^o  near,  that  he  heard  the 
infolence  of  the  officers  and  foldiers  to  Mr.  Jenkins  when 
they  had  taken  him;  and  obferved  ir  in  his  diary,  that 
Mr.  Jenkins  might  have  efcaped  as  well  as  himfelf,  had  it 
not  been  for  a  piece  of  vanity  in  a  lady,  whofe  Long  train 
hindered  his  going  down  {fairs,  Mr.  Jenkins  out  of  his 
too  great  civility  having  let  her  pafs  before  him. 

Mr.  Flavel,  after  this,  returned  to  Dartmouth,  where 
with  his  family,  and  dear  people,  he  bleffed  GOD  for 
his  mercies  towards  him.  He  was,  in  a  little  time  after, 
confined  clofe  prifoner  to  his  houfe,  where  many  of  his 
ilock  dole  in  over-night,  or  betimes  on  the  Lord's  day 
in  the  morning,  to  enjoy  the  benefit  of  bis  labours,  and 
fpend  the  Sabbath  in  hearing,  praying,  fmging  of  pfalms, 
and  holy  difcourfes. 

Mr*  Jenkins  above-mentioned  dying  in  prifon,  his  peo- 
ple gave  Mr.  Flavel  a  call  to  the  paitoral  office  among 
them,  and  Mr.  Reeves's  people  did  the  like.  Mr.  Fla- 
vel communicated  thoie  calls  unto  his  flock,  and  kept  a 
day  of  prayer  with  them,  to  beg  direction  from  GOD 
in  this  important  affair  ;  he.  was  gracioufly  pleafed  to  an- 

fwer 


3^2  F     L     A     V     E     L. 

fwer  them,  by  fixing  Mr.  FlavePs  refolution  to  fray  with 
his  flock  at  Dartmouth.  Many  arguments  were  made 
ufe  of  to  perfuade  him  to  come  to  London,  as,  that  iince 
he  was  turned  out  by  the  a£t  of  uniformity,  he  had  had 
but  very  little  maintenance  from  his  church  ;  that  thofe 
in  London  were  rich  and  numerous  congregations  ;  that 
he  had  a  family  and  children  to  provide  for  ;  and  that  the 
city  was  a  theatre  of  honour  and  reputation.  But  none 
of  thofe  things  could  prevail  with  him  to  leave  his  poor 
people  at  Dartmouth. 

In  1687,  when  it  pleafed  GOD  fo  to  over-rule  affairs, 
that  K.  James  II.  thought  it  his  intereft  to  difpenfe  with 
the  penal  laws  againfl  them,  Mr.  Flavel,  who  had  for- 
merly been  confined  to  a  corner,  fhone  brightly,  as  a 
flaming  beacon  upon  the  top  of  an  hill.  His  affectionate 
people  prepared  a  large  place  for  him,  where  GOD 
blefl'ed  his  labours  to  the  conviction  of  many  people,  by 
his  fermons  on  Rev.  iii.  20.  Behold ,  1  ft  and  at  the  door 
and  knock.  This  encouraged  him  to  print  thofe  fermons, 
under  the  title  of  England's  Duty,  &c  hoping  that  they 
might  do  good  abroad,  as  well  as  in  his  own  congregation. 
He  had  made  a  vow  to  the  Lord  under  his  confinement, 
that  if  he  ihould  be  once  more  entrufted'with  public  liber- 
ty, he  would  improve  it  to  the  advantage  of  the  gofpel  ; 
this  he  performed  in  a  moil  confcientious  manner,  preach- 
ing twice  every  Lord's  day  ;  and  lectured  every  Wednef- 
day,  in  which  he  werft  over  moil  of  the  third  chapter  of 
St.  John,  (hewing  the  indifpenfible  neceiTity  of  regenera- 
tion. He  preached  likewife  every  Thnrfday  before  the 
facrament,  and  then  after  examination  admitted  communi- 
cants. He  had  no  affulance  on  facrament  days,  fo  that 
he  was  many  times  ahnoil  fpent  before  he  diitributed  the 
elements.  When  the  duty  of  the  day  was  over,  he 
would  often  complain  of  a  fore  breafc,  ,an  aching  head, 
and  a  pained  back  ;  yet  he  would  be  early  "at  Itudy  again 
next  Monday.  He  allowed,  himfclf  very  little  recreation, 

accounting 


F    L    A    V     E     L.  383 

accounting  time   a  precious  jewel,  that  ought  to  be  im- 
proved at  any  rate. 

He  was  not  only  a  zealous  preacher  in  the  pulpit,  but 
a  fincere  chriitian,  in  his  clofet,  frequent  in  fclf-exami- 
nation,  as  well  as  in  preinng  it  upon  others ;  being  afraid, 
kit  while  he  preached  to  others,  he  himfelf  ihould  be  a 
call- away.  To  prove  this,  I  ihall  tranferibe  what  fol- 
lows from  his  own  diary. 

"  1.  To  make  fure  of  eternal  life,  faid  he,  is  the  great 
"  bufinefs  which  the  fons  of  death  have  to  do  in  this 
u  world*  Whether  a  man  confider  the  immortality  of 
"  his  own  foul,  the  ineffable  joys  and  glory  of  heaven, 
u  the  extreme  and  endlefs  torments  of  hell,  the  incon- 
ie  ceiveabie  fweetnefs  of  peace  of  confeience,  or  the  mif- 
i(  ery  of  being  fubjeel  to  the  errors  thereof;  All  thefe 
■*  put  a  neceiiity,  a  folemnity,  a  glory  upon  this  work. 
*'  Bur,  Oh !  Oh !  the  difficulties  and  dangers  attending 
"  it!  How  many,  and  how  great  are  thefe?  What 
11  j  udgment,  faithfulnefs,  refolution,  and  watchfulnefs, 
<(  doth  it  require  ?  Such  is  the  deceitfuinefs,  darknefs,  and 
i(  inconftancy  of  our  hearts,  and  fuch  the  malice,  policy, 
"  and  diligence  of  fatan,  to  manage  and  improve  it,  that 
"  he  who  attempts  this  work  had  need  both  to  watch 
"  his  feafons  for  it,  and  frequently  look  up  to  GOD  for 
u  his  guidance  and  illumination,  and  to  fpend  many  fad 
<c  and  ferious  thoughts  before  he  adventure  upon  adeter- 
"  mination  and  conclusion  of  the  ftate  of  his  foul. 

"  To  the  end,  therefore,  that  this  molt  important 
"  work  may  not  mifcarry  in  my  hands,  I  have  collected 
"  with  all  the  care  I  can,  the  bed:  and  founded  characters 
"  I  can  find  in  the  writings  of  our  modern  divines,  taken 
tc  out  of  the  fcripture,  and  by  their  labours  illuftrated 
"  and  prepared  for  ufe,  that  I  might  make  a  right  ap- 
"  plication  of  them. 

"  1.  I  have  earneftly  befought  the  Lord  for  the  aflif- 
Ij  tance  of  his  Spirit,  which  can  only  manifeft   my  own 

"  heart 


384  F     L     A    V    E     L, 

<•'  heart  unto  me,  and  mew  me  the  true  flate  thereof, 
ei  which  is  that  thing  my  foul  doth  moft  earneftly  de- 
<•  fire  to  know  :  And  I  hope  the  Lord  will  anfwer  my 
"  defire  therein,  according  to  his  promifes,  Lukexi.  13. 
"  John  xiv.  26. 

"  2.  I  have  endeavoured  to  caft  out  and  lay  afidefelf- 
"  love,  left,  my  heart  being  prepofTeffed  therewith,  my 
"  judgment  mould  be  preverted  and  become  partial  in 
u  palling  fentencc  on  my  eftate.  I  have,  in  fome  mea- 
il  fure,  brought  my  heart  to  be  willing  to  judge  and  con- 
"  demn  myfelf  for  an  hypocrite,  if  fuch  I  ihall  be  found 
11  on  trial,  as  to  approve  myfelf  for  fincere  and  upright: 
iC  Yea,  I  would  have  it  fo  far  from  being  grievous  to  me 
*'  fo  to  do,  that  if  I  have  been  all  this  while  miftaken 
"  and  deceived,  I  (hall  rejoice  and  hlefs  the  Lord  with 
"  my  foul,  that  now  at  laft  it  may  be  difcovered  to  me, 
**  and  I  may  be  fet  right,  though  I  lay  the  foundation 
"  new  again.  This  I  have  laboured  to  bring  my  heart  to, 
"  knowing  that  thou  fan  ds  have  dafhed  and  fplit  to  pieces 
f  upon  this  rock.  And  indeed  he  that  will  own  the 
"*'  perfon  of  a  judge,  muft  put  off  the  perfon  of  a  friend. 

"  3.  It  hath  been  my  endeavour  to  keep  upon  my 
iC  heart  a  deep  fenfe  of  that  great  judgment-day  through- 
*'  out  this  work ;  as  knowing  by  experience  what  a  po- 
■**  tent  influence  this  hath  on  the  confcience,  to  make  it 
u  deliberate,  ferious  and  faithful  in  its  work  ;  and  there- 
i(  fore  I  have  demanded  of  my  own  confcience,  before  the 
"  refolution  of  each  queftion.  O  my  confcience,  deal 
"  faithfully  with  me  in  this  particular,  and  fay  no  more 
"  to  me  than  thou  wilt  own  and  ftand  to  in  the  great 
"  day,  when  the  counfels  of  ail  hearts  ihall  be  made 
<c  manifeft. 

"  4.  Having  ferioufly  weighed  each  mark,  and  con- 
"  fidered  wherein  the  weight  and  fubftance  of  it  lieth,  I 
"  have  gone  to  the  Lord  in  prayer  for  his  afliftance, 
<(  ere  I  have   drawn   up  the  anfwer  of  my  confcience  ^ 

"  and 


F     L     A     V     E     L.  385 

JS  and  as  my  heart  hath  been  perfuaded  therein,  To  have 
f  I  determined  and  refolved ;  what  hath  been  clear  to 
it  my  experience,  I  have  fo  fet  down  ;  and  what  hath 
*'  been  dubious,   I  have  here  left  it  fo- 

"  5.  1  have  made  choice  of  the  fitted  feafons  I  had 
"  for"  this  work,  and  fet  to  it  when  I  have  found  my 
"  heart  in  the  molt  quiet  and  ferious  frame.  For  as  he 
"  that  will  fee  his  face  in  a  glafs,  muft  be  fixt,  not  in 
"  motion,  or  in  the  water,  mull  make  no  commotion  in 
"  it ;  fo  it  is  in  this  cafe. 

il  Laftly,  To  the  end  I  may  be  fuccefsful  in  this  work, 
"  I  have  laboured  all  along  carefully  to  diftinguifh  be- 
iS  twixt  fuch  tins  as  are  grounds  of  doubting,  and  fuch 
'*  as  are  only  grounds  of  humiliation  ;  knowing  that  not 
"  every  evil  is  a  ground  of  doubting,  though  all,  even 
u  the  fmalleft  infirmities,  adminifter  matter  of  humilia- 
•"  tion  :  And  thus  I  have  defired  to  enterprize  this  great 
u  bufinefs.  O  Lord  aifift  thy  fervant,  that  he  may  not 
"  miitake  herein  ;  but  if  his  confeience  do  now  condemn 
"  him,  he  may  lay  abetter  foundation  whilft  he  hath  time  ; 
"  and  if  it  mall  now  acquit  him,  he  may  alfo  have  bold- 
"  nefs  in  the  day  of  judgment." 

Thefe  things  being  previoufly  difpatched,  he  tried 
himfelf  by  the  fcripture  marks  of  fmcerity  and  regenera- 
tion ;  by  this  means  he  attained  to  a  well-grounded  af- 
furance,  the  raviihing  comforts  of  which  were  many 
times  ihed  abroad  in  his  foul :  This  made  him  a  power- 
ful and  fuccefsful  preacher,  as  one  who  fpoke  from  his 
own  heart  to  thofe  of  others.  He  preached  what  he  felt, 
what  he  had  feen  and  tailed  of  the  word  of  life  ;  and 
they  felt  it  alfo. 

He  was  a  mighty  wreftler  with  GOD  in  fecret  prayer, 
and  particularly  begged  of  him  to  crown  his  fermons, 
printed  books,  and  private  difcourfes,  with  the  conversion 
of  poor  Tinners,  a  work  which    his  heart   was  much  fet 

K   k  upon 


^86  -5?    L     A    V     E    L. 

•jupon.    It  pleafed  GOD  to  anfwerhimbymany  inftances^ 
*©f  which  the  two  that  follow  deferve   peculiar  notice. 

In  1673  there  came  into  Dartmouth  port  a  fliip  of  Pool, 
in  her  return  from  Virginia  ;  the  furgeon  of  this  fhip, 
j  a  lufty  young  man  of  twenty-three  years  of  age,  fell  into 
a  deep  melancholy,  which  the  devil  improved  to  make 
him  murder  himfelf.  This  he  attempted  on  the  Lord's 
.day  early  in  the  morning,  when  he  was  in  bed  with  his 
-brother  ;  he  firft  cut  his  own  throat  with  a  knife  he  had 
prepared  on  purpoie,  and  leaping  out  of  the  bed,  thruft 
it  into  his  ftomach,  and  fo  lay  wallowing  in  his  own 
blood,  till  his  brother  awaked  and  cried  for  help.  A 
phyfician  and  furgeon  were  brought,  who  concluded  the 
wound  in  his  throat  mortal :  They  Hitched  it  up  how- 
ever, and  applied  a  plainer,  but  without  hopes  of  cure, 
becaufe  he  already  breathed  through  the  wound,  and 
his  voice  was  become  inarticulate.  Mr.  Flavel  came  to 
vifit  him  in  this  condition,  and,  apprehending  him  to  be 
within  a  few  minutes  of  eternity,  laboured  to  prepare  him 
for  it ;  he  afked  him  his  own  apprehenfions  of  his  con- 
dition, and  the  young  man  anfwered,  '  That  he  hoped 
«  in  GOD  for  eternallife.'  Mr.  Flavel  replied,  "  That 
'*  he  feared  his  hopes  were  ill-grounded  ;, the  fcripture 
4<  tells  us,  that  No  murderer  hath  eternal  life  abiding  in 
i(  him;  lelf-murder  was  the  grofieft  of  all  murder,  &c." 
Mr.  Flavel  infilled  fo  much  upon  the  aggravations  of  the 
crime,  that  the  young  man's  confcience  began  to  fail,  his 
heart  began  to  melt,  and  then  he  broke  out  into  te.ars, 
bewailing  his  fin  and  mifery,  and  alked  Mr-  Flavel,  '  If 
*  there  might  yet  be  any  hope  for  him  ?'  he  told  him, 
"  There  might  :"  And  finding  him  altogether  unacquaint- 
ed with  the  nature  of  faith  and  repentance,  he  opened 
them  to  him.  The  poor  man  fucked  in  this  doclrine 
.greedily,  prayed  with  great  vehemence  to  GOD  that  he 
would  work  them  on- his  foul,  and  intreated  Mr.  Flavel 
j;o  pray  with  him,  and  for  him,  that  hemight  be,  though 


P     L     A    V   E     L.  3S> 

late,  a  finccre  gofpcl  penitent,  and  found  believer.  Mr. 
Flavei  prayed  with  him  accordingly,  and  it  pleated  GOD 
exceedingly  to  melt  the  young  man's  heart  during  the 
performance  ol"  that  duty.  He  was  very  loth  to  part 
with  Mr.  Flavei,  but  the  duty  of  the  day  obliged  him 
to  be  gone;  in  a  few  words  he  fummed  up  thole  counV 
lels  that  bethought  moft  necefiary,  and  fo  took  his  fare-- 
wel  of  him,  never  expecting  to  fee  him  any  more  in  this 
world.  But  it  pleafed  GOD  to  order  it  otherwife  ;  the  ' 
young  man  continued  alive,  contrary  to  all  expe6tation, 
panted  earneftly  after  the  Lord  Jefus,  and  no  difcourfe 
was  pleating  to  him,  but  that  of  Chriil  and  faith.  In 
this  frame  Mr.  Flavei  found  him  in  the  evening  ;  he  re- 
joiced greatly  when  he  faw  him  come  again,  in  treated  him 
to  continue  his  difcourfe  upon  this  fubjec~t,  and  told  him^ 
4  Sir,  the  Lord  hath  given  me  repentance  for  this,  and 
c  for  all  my  other  fins  ;  I  fee  the  evil  of  them  now,  fo  as 
f  I  never  faw  them  before  !  O  I  loth  myfelf !  I  do  alfo 
'  believe,  Lord,  help  my  unbelief !  I  am  heartily  willing 
'  to  take  Chrift  upon  his  own  terms ;  but  one  thing  trou- 
'  blesme,  I  doubt  this  bloody  (In  will  not  be  pardoned, 
f  Will  Jefus  Chrift,  faid  he,  apply  his  blood  to  me,  that 
'  have  ihed  my  own  blood?'  Mr.  Flavei  told  him, 
(i  That  the  Lord  Jefus  had  fiied  his  blood  for  them  that 
<c  with  wicked  hands  had  iked  his  own  blood,  which  was 
H  a  greater  fm  than  the  ihedciing  of  his ;"  to  which  the 
wounded  man  replied,  S  I  will  caft  myfelf  upon  Chrifr, 
<  let  him  do  what  he  will.'  In  this  condition  Mr*  Fla- 
vei left  him  that  night. 

K'ext  morning  his  wounds  were  to  be  opened,  and  that 
furgeon's  opinion  was,  that  he  would  immediately  ex- 
pire :  Mr.  Flavei  was  again  requeited  to  give  him  a  villi, 
which  he  did,  found  him  in  a  very  feriou:  frame,  and 
prayed  with  him.  The  wound  in  his  ftomach  was, after- 
wards opened,  when  the  ventricle  was  fo  fwoln,  that  it 
came  out  at  the  orifice  of  the  wound,  and  lay  like  a  livid 

difcoloured 


3B3  K     L     A     V     E     L: 

difcoloured  tripe  upon  his  body,  and  wasalfo  tut  through; 
every  one  thought  it  impofllble  for  him  to  live  ;  however 
the  fqrgeoo  enlarged  the  orifice  of  the  wound,  fomented 
it,  and  wrought  the  ventricle  again  into  his  body,  and, 
fetching  up  the  wound,  left  his  patient  to  the  difpofal  of 
providence. 

It  pleaied  GOD  that  he  was  cured  of  thefe  dangerous 
wounds  in  his  body  ;  and,  upon  folic!  grounds  of  a  ra- 
tional charity,  there  was  reaion  to  believe  that  he  was 
alio  cured  of  that  more  dangerous  wound  which  fin  had 
made  on  his  foul.  Mr.  Flavel  fpent  many  hours  with 
him  during  the  time  of  his  illnefs  ;  and  when  the  fur- 
geon  returned  to  Pool,  after  his  recover} ,  Mr.  Samuel 
Hardy,  that  worthy  min-fter  there,  thanked  Mr.  Flavel, 
in  a  letter,  for  the  great  pains  he  had  taken  with  that 
young  man,  and  congratulated  his  fuccefs,  afluring  him, 
that  if  ever  a  great  and  thorough  work  was  wrought,  it 
was  upon  that  man. 

The  fecond  inftance  is  this  :  Mr.  Flavel  being  in  Lon- 
don in  1673,  his  old  bookfelier  Mr.  Boulter,  gave  him 
this  following  relation,    viz.      '  That  fome  time   before, 

*  there  came  into  his   {hop   a  fparkifh   gentleman  to  en- 

*  quire  for  fome  play  books ;  Mr.    Boulter  told   him  he 

*  had  none,  but  Jhewed  him  Mr.  Flavel' s  little  treatife 
'  of  "  Keeping  the  Heart,"  intreated  him  to  read  it, 
'  and  allured  him  it  would  do  him  more  good  than  play 
books. '  The  gentleman  read  the  title,  and  glancing  upon 
feveral  pages  here  and  there,  broke  out  into  thefe  and 
fuch  other  expreilions,  '  What  a  damnable    fanatic  was 

*  he  who  made  this  book?'  Mr.  Boulter  begged  of  him 
to  buy   and  read  it,  and  told  him  '  he   had  no  caufe  to 

*  cenfure  it  fo  bitterly  ;'  at  laft  he  bought  it,  but  told 
him  l  he  would  not  read  it.'  \  What  will  you  do  with 
'it  then,  f aid  Mr.  Boulter  ?'  '  I will  tear  and  burn 
y  it,  faid  he,  and  fend  it  to  the  devil.'  Mr.  Boulter 
told  him,  '  then  he  lhould  not  have  it.'  ♦  Upon  this  the 
gentleman  promifed  to  read  it;    and  Mr.  Boulter  told 

him. 


F     L     A    V     E     &,  38; 

him,  <  If  lie  diflik&l  it  upon  reading,  he  would  return 
'  him  liis  money.'  About  a  month  after,  the  gentle- 
man came  to  the  mop  again,  in  a  very  model*  habit,  and 
with  a  ferious  countenance,  befpeaks  Mr.  Boulter  thus  : 
1  Sir,  I  molt  heartily  thank  you  for  putting  this  book  in  ■ 
'  to  my  hands ;  I  bleis  God  that  moved  you  to  do  it,  it 
'  has  faved  my  ibul ;  blelled  be  Cod  that  ever  I  came  in- 
■  to  your  (hop/  And  then  he  bought  a  hundred  more? 
of  thole  books  of  him,  telling  him,  *  he  would  give  them? 
<  to  the  poor  who  could  not  buy  them/  and  fo  left  hhn, 
praiftng  and  admiring  the  goodnefs  of  God.  Thus  it 
pleafed  God  to  blels  the  fermons,  difcouries,  and  writings 
of  Mr.  Flavel. 

Many  times,  when  he  preached  abroad,  he  has  had 
letters  fent  him  from  unknown  perfons,  informing  him 
how  God  had  bleffed  his  miniftry  to  their  fouls,  and  con  - 
verted  them  from  beir.^  bitter  enemies  to  religion.  Thi^ 
encouraged  him  when  he  rode  abroad,  not  only  to  accept 
of  invitations  to  preach,  but  many  times  to  offer*  his  la- 
bours unto  thofe  that  would  be  pleafed  to  hear  him ; 
though  for  this  he  had  no  occaiion  where  he  was  known, 
the  people  being  generally  importunate  with  him.  One 
day  after  a  long  and  hard  journey,  an  intimate  friend  of 
his  out  of  a  tender  regard  to  him,  preffed  him  with  co- 
gent arguments  to  forbear  preaching  at  that  feafon,  but 
could  not  prevail  with  him;  his  bowels  of  compaflion  to 
needy  and  perilling  fouls  made  him  overlook  all  consider- 
ations of  himfelf :  He  preached  an  excellent  fermon,  by 
which  there  was  one  converted,  as  he  declared  himfelf  af- 
terwards, upon  his  admiflion  to  the  Lord's  table. 

The  laft  fermon  that  he  preached  to  his  people  at 
Dartmouth,  was  on  a  public  day  of  fafting  and  humilia- 
tion;  in  the  clofe  of  which  he  was  enlarged  in  fuch  aft 
extraordinary  a  manner,  when  offering  up  praifes  to 
GOD  for  mercies  received,  that  he  feemed  to  be  in  an 
extafy.  This  happened  about  a  week  before  his  death^ 
and  may  be  "nitty  accounted  a  foretafte  of  thofe  heavenly- 
Kk  2  raptures 


39o  F     L     A    V     E     L. 

raptures  that  he-cow  enjoys  amongft  the  bleffed  fpirits, 
above. 

The  laft  fermon  he  preached  was  en  the  2ift of  June 
1691,  at  Amburtonr,  from  1  Cor.  x.  12-  Wherefore  let 
him  tkfit  ftiindeth,  lake  heed  left  he  fell.  It  was  a  very  pa- 
thetic and  excellent  difcourfe,  tending  to  awaken  care* 
lei's  profeflbrs.  and  to  ftir  them  up  to  be  folicitous  about 
their  fouls*  After  having  preached -this  fermon,  he  went 
to  Exter ;  and  at  Top  (ham,  within  three  miles  of  that 
city,  he  prefided  as  moderator  in  an  afTembly  of  the  non- 
conforming miniiters  of  Devonshire,  who  unanimouQy 
voted  him  into  the  chair :  The  occafion  of  their  meetinp 
v,' as  about  an  union  betwixt  the  preibyterians  and  inde- 
pendents, which  Mr.  Flavel  was  very  zealojs  to  promote, 
and  brought  to  fo  great  an  iffue  in  thofe  parts,  that  the 
minifters  declared  their  fatisfactien  with  the  heads  of 
agreement  concluded  on  by  the  London  minifters  of  tbofe 
denominations.  Mr- Flavel  clofed  the  work  of  the  day 
with  prayer  and  praifes,  in  which  his  ipirit  was  carried 
out  with  wonderful  enlargement  and  affection. 

He  wrote  a  letter  to  an  eminent  minifter  in  LondonP 
with  an  account  of  their  proceedings,  that  fame  day  that 
he  died;  providence  ordering  it  fo,  that  he  fiiould  finiih 
that  good  work  his  heart  was  fo  intent  upon,  before  he 
fipiflied  his  courfe. 

The  manner  of  his  death  was  fudden  and  furprifing : 
His  friends  thought  him  as  well  that  day  in  the  evening 
of  which  he  died,  as  he  had  been  for  many  years:  To- 
wards the  end  of  fupper  he  complained  of  a  deadnefs  in 
one  of  his  hands,  that  he  could  not  lift  it  up  to  his  head. 
This  ftruck  his  wife  and  his  friends  about  him  into  an 
aftoniihroent  ;  they  ufed  fome  means  to  recover  it  to  its 
former  ftrength,  but  inftead  thereof,  to  their  great  grief 
the  diftemp'er  feized  upon  all  one  fide  of  his  body.  They 
put  him  to  bed  with  all  fpeed,  and  fent  for  phyficians,  but 
to_no  purpofe  ;  his  diftemper.  prevailed  upon  himfofaft, 


F     L     A     V     £     L, 


39* 


:hut  in  a  fliort  time  it  made  him  fpeechlefs.  He  wai 
fenfible  of  his  approaching  death;  and  when  they  carried 
him  up  flairs,  exprefffd  his  opinion  "-That  it  would  be 
the  lait  time;"  but  added,  "  I  know  that  it  will  hewell 
with  me;*'  which  were  fome  of  hi?  laft  words.  Thus 
died  tins  holy  man  of  GOD  fuddenlv,  and  without  pain, 
not  giving  lb  much  as  one  groan.  He  exchanged  this  life 
for  a  better,  on  the  26th  day  of  June,  1691,  in  the 
64th  year  of  hi*  a  _j[£t— 


gjreg=== ■-=*=-- --   ■ i^iSS 


ISAAC    WATTS,    D.    D, 


|NE  great  object  of  ihis  compilation  is,  the  ilbiftra- 
tion  of  divine  grace  in  its  power  and  influence  upon 
;:he  hearts  of  men  :  So  that,  while  we  point  out  thebrigh: 
examples  of  many  eminent  chriftians,  we  would  be  under- 
ibood,  not  fo  much  to  let  up  men  for  mere  admiration, 
but  to  (hew  what  GOD  hath  done,  in  fucceffive  genera- 
tions, for  poor  tinners  like  ourlelves,  that  others  might 
be  encouraged,  according  to  thetr  meaiure  of  the  fame 
grace,  to  follow  them  who  now  through  faith  and  patience 
inherit  tkepromfts.     Kence;  therefore,  as  we  m'uit  abho^ 


392  Vf     A     1     T     S. 

a  mean  una  invidious  detraction,  which  could  only  prove 
that  we  want  either  grace  or  common  candor;  we  would 
be  careful  alio  to  avoid  the  other  extreme,  from  a  mind 
equally  devoted  to  temporal  views,  of  Hiding  into  fulfbme 
or  fweiling  panegyrics,  through  any  reipect  that  mould 
be  entertained  for  the  memories  of  faithful  men.  It  be- 
comes us,  in  this  cafe,  to  confider  what  the  perfons,  we 
venture  to  celebrate,  would  fay  of  us  or  to  us,  could 
they  read  what  fell  from  our  pens,  now  their  fpirits  ar? 
made ptrfecJ,  and  clivefted  of  all  the  vanity  and  conceit  of 
the  fieih.  I  believe,  they  would  readily  own,  with  the 
apoftle,  that  they  were  at  belt  but  empty  veffels  in  them- 
i elves  ;  that  whatever  they  enjoyed  of  goodnefs  was  en- 
tirely out  of  that  Fubiefs,  that  fillet h  all  in  all ;  and  that, 
by  the  grace  of  COD  y  they  iuere  -whatever  they  were,  either 
hi  themfelves  or  for  others,  in  point  of  ufefu-lnefs  and 
worth.  And,  in  confequence  of  this  acknowledgement,, 
they  would  be  much  more  ready  to  chide  than  to  thank 
us,  were  we  to  dignify  their  perfons  for  public  vievr,  and 
to  forget  to  mention,  that  they  had  nothing  worth  having, 
but  what  they  freely  received  from  their  Mafter.  Un. 
der  this  impreffion  of  mind,  which  we  would  wiih  never 
to  forget,  we  mall  i elect,  from  the  various  memoirs 
which  have  been  published  of  this  excellent  Man,  chiefly 
what  has  been  given  by  the  late  Dr.  Samuel  Johnfon, 
as  the  molt  conciie,  judicious,  and  candid  of  any ;  to 
which  we  will  add  a  few  edifying  particulars,  which,  we 
conceive,  cannot  but  be  grateful  to  our  ferious  readers. 

'Ifaac  Watts  (fays  Dr.  johnfon)  was  born  July  17, 1674,. 
at  Southampton.  His  father  appeal's,  from  the  narrative 
of  Dr.  Gibbons,  to  have  been  neither  indigent  nor  illite- 
rate. Ifaac,  the  eldeft  of  nine  children,  was  given  to 
books  from  his  infancy;  and  began, we  are  told,  to  learn 
Latin  when  he  was  four  years  old,  I  fuppofe  at  home. 
He  was  afterwards  taught  Latin,  Greek,  and  Hebrew,  by 
Mr.  Pinhonie,  a  clergyman^  -nailer  of  the  free-fchool  at 

*   Southampton^, 


WATT     S.  393 

Southampton,  to  whom  the  gratitude  of  his  fcholar  after- 
wards infcribed  a  Latin  ode.  His  prohciency  at  fchool 
was  fo  confpicuous,  that  a  fubfcription  was  propofed  for 
his  fupport  at  the  univernty  ;  but  he  declared  his  reiblu- 
tion  to  take  his  lot  with  the  dificnters.  Such  he  was,  as 
every  chriitian  church  would  rejoice  to  have  adopted. 
He  therefore  repaired  in  i6>o  to  an  academy  taught  .by 
Mr.  Rowe.  Some  Latin  effays,  fuppoied  to  have  been 
written  as  exerciies  at  this  academy,  inesv  a  degree 
of  knowledge,  both  ph'dofophical  and  theological,  fuchas 
very  few  attain  by  a  much  longer  courie  of  itudy.  He 
was,  as  he  hints  in  his  mifcelianies,  a  maker  of  verfes 
from  fifteen  to  fifty,  and  in  his  youth  he  appears  to  have 
paid  attention  to  Latin  poetry.  His  verfes  to  his  brother 
in  the  gylconic  meafure,  written  when  he  was  feventeen, 
are  remarkably  ealy  and  elegant. 

6  His  method  of  itudy  was  to  imprefs  the  contents  of 
his  books  upon  his  memory  by  abridging  them,  and  by 
interleaving  them  to  amplify  one  fyftem  with  fupplernents 
from  another.  With  the  congregation  of  his  tutor  Mr. 
Rowe,  who  were,  I  believe,  independents,  he  communi- 
cated in  his  nineteenth  year.  At  the  age  of  twenty  he 
left  the  academy,  and  lpent  two  years  in  itudy  and  devo- 
tion at  the  houi'e  of  his  father,  who  treated  him  with 
great  tendernefs  ;  and  had  the  happlaefs,  indulged  to 
few  parents,  of  living  to  fee  his  ion  eminent  for  literature 
and  venerable  for  piety.-  He  was  then  entertained  by 
Sir  John  Hartopp  five  years,  as  domeftic  tutor  to  his  fon  ; 
and  in  that  time  particularly  devoted  himfelf  to  the  iludy 
of  the  holy  fcriptures  ;  and  being  chofen  allifbnt  to  Dr. 
Chauncey,  preached  the  firft  time  on  the  birth-day  that 
compleated  his  twenty-fourth  year  ;  probably  coniidering 
that  as  the  day  of  a  fecond  nativity,  by  which  he  entered, 
on  a  new  period  of  exiltence.'  In  January  1701,  he  re- 
ceived a  call  .from  that  church  to  fucceed  Dr.  Chiauncy  in 
the  pafloral  office,  of  which  he  fignifiedhis  acceptance  on 

the 


394  W     A     T     T     S. 

the  day  that  king  William  died.  This  circumftance  is 
particularly  noted  by  Dr.  Jennings  as  an  act  of  chriftian 
heroifm,  becaufe  of  the  difcouraging  profpect  which  that 
event  gave  to  men  of  his  profefiion,  and  the  fears  with 
which  it  filled  the  hearts  of  protectant  diffenters  at  that 
time,  when  toleration  was  fo  infecurely  eitablifhed  that 
the*  existence  of  it  depended  on  mere  cafoality.  But  he 
had  "  fet  his  hand  to  the  plough,  and  would  not  look 
back."  Accordingly  he  was  ordained  on  the  1 8th  of 
March  1702. 

*  Scon  after  his  entrance  on  his  charge,  he  was  feized 
by  a  dangerous  illneis,  which  funk  him  in  fuch  weaknefs, 
that  .the  congregation  thought  an  ailiitant  neccffary,  and 
appointed  Mr.  Price.  His  health  then  returned  gradu- 
ally, and  he  performed  his  duty,  till  (17 12)  he  was  fei- 
zed by  a  fever  of  fuch  violence  and  continuance,  that, 
from  the  feeblenefs  which  it  brought  upon  him,  he  never 
perfectly  recovered.  This  calamitous  ftate  made  the 
compadion  of  his  friends  neceffary,  and  drew  upon  him 
the  attention  of  Sir  Thomas  Abney,  who  received  him 
into  his  houle ;  where,  with  a  constancy  of  friendship 
and  uniformity  cf  conduct  not  often  to  be  found,  he  was 
treated  for  thirty-fix  years  with  all  the  kindnefs  that 
friendihip  could  prompt,  and  all  the  attention  that  refpect 
could  dictate.  Sir  Thomas  died  about  eight  years 
afterwards  ;  but  he  continued  with  the  lady  and  her 
daughters  to  the  end  of  his  life.  The  lady  died  about  a 
year  after  him. 

'  A  coalition  like  this,  a  ftate  in  which  the  notions  cf 
patronage  and  dependence  were  overpowered  by  the  per- 
ception of  reciprocal  benents,  deferves  a  particular  me- 
morial ;  and  I  will  not  withhold  from-  the  reader  Dr. 
Gibbons's  representation,  to  which  regard  is  to  be  paid 
as  to  the  narrative  of  one  who  writes  what  he  knows,  and 
what  is  known  like  wife  to  multitudes  beiicles. 

*  Our  «gxt   obfervation   (lays  Dr.  Gibbons)  foall  be 

made 


WATT     5.-  395 

•Ynade    upon     that  remarkably   kind     providence    which 
brought  the  Doctor  into  Sir  Thomas  Abney's  family,  and 
continued  him  there  till  his  death,  a  period  of  no  lefs  than 
thirty-fix  years.     In  the  midft  of  his  facred  labours   for 
the  glory  of  GOD,  and  the  good   of  his  generation,  he 
is  feized  with  a  moil  violent  and  threatening  fever,  which 
leaves  him  opprefled  with  great  weaknefs,  and  puts  a  iiop 
at  leait  to  his  public   Services  for  four  years.      In   this 
diftreiling  feafon,  doubly  fo  to  his  active  and  pious  fpirit, 
he  is  invited  'to  Sir  Thomas    Abney's  family,    nor  ever 
removes    from  it   till  he  had  nnifhed  his  days.     Here  he 
enjoyed  the  uninterrupted   demonstrations  of  the  truefl 
friendship.     Here,  without  any  care  of  his  own,  he  had 
every  thing  which  could  contribute  to   the  enjoyment  of 
life,  and  -favour    the   unwearied    purfuit   of  his  Studies. 
Here  he  dwelt  in  a  family  which  for  piety,  order,  harmo- 
ny, and  every  virtue  was    an  houfe  of  GOD.     Here  -he 
had  the  privilege  of  a  country  recefs,  the  pure   air,  the 
retired  grove,  the  fragrant  bower,   the  Spreading  lawn, 
the  flowery  garden,  and   other  advantages  to   foothe  his 
mind,  and   aid  his    refroration  to    health,   to  yield  him 
whenever  he  chofe   them   moft  grateful  intervals  from 
his  laborious  Studies,  and  enable  him  to   return    to  them 
with  redoubled  vigour  and    delight.     Had  it  not  been  for 
this  moSt  happy  event  he  might,  as  to  outward  view,  have 
feebly,  it   may  be  painfully   dragged   on   through  many 
more  years  oflangeurand  inability  for  public  fervice,  and 
even  for  profitable   Study,   or  perhaps  might  have  funk 
into  his  grave  under  the  overwhelming  load  cf  infirmities 
in  the  midftof.his  days;  and  thus  the  church  and  world 
would  have  been  deprived  of   thofe   many  excellent  fer- 
mons  and  works,  which  he  drew  up  and  published  during 
his  long  refidence  in  this   family.     In  a*tfew  years   after 
his  coming  hither  Sir  Thomas  Abney  dies^  but  his  amiable 
confort  furvives,  who  Shews  the  doctor  the  fame  refped 
and  friendihip  as  before,   and  mod   happily  for  him,  and 

-great 


396  W     A    T     T     S. 

great  numbers  befides;  for  as  her  riches  wfcre  great,  her 
generoiity  and  munificence  were  in  fall  proportion,  her 
thread  of  life  was  drawn  out  to  a  great  age,  even  beyond 
that  of  the  doctor's,  ar.d  this  excellent  man  through 
her  kindnefs,  and  that  of  her  daughter,  the  prefent  Mrs. 
Elizabeth  Abney,  who  in  a  like  degree  efteemed  and  ho- 
noured him,  enjoyed  all  the  benefits  and  felicities  he  ex- 
perienced at  his  firtt  entrance  into  this  family  till  his  days 
were  numbered  and  iinilhed,  and,  like  a  (hock  of  corn  in 
its  ieafon,  he  afcended  into  the  regions  of  perfect  and 
immortal  life  asd  joy.' 

From  the  time  of  his  reception  into  his  family,  his  life 
was  no  otherwife  diverfihed  than  by  fuccelfive  publica- 
tions. The  feries  of  his  works  I  am  not  able  to  deduce  ; 
their  number,  and  their  variety,  ftiew  the  intenfenefs  of 
his  induflry,  and  the  extent  of  his  capacity.  He  continu- 
ed to  the  end  of  his  life  the  teacher  of  a  congregation, 
and  no  reader  of  his  works  can  doubt  his  fidelity  or  dili- 
gence. In  the  pulpit,  though  his  low  ilature,  which 
very  little  exceeded  five  feet,  graced  him  with  no  advan- 
tages of  appearance,  yet  the  gravity  and  propriety  of  his* 
utterance  made  made  his  difcourfes  very  efficacious. 
Such  was  his  flow  of  thoughts,  and  fuch  his  promptitude 
of  language,  that  in  the  latter  part  of  his  life  he  did  not 
precompoie  his  curfory  fermons  ;  but  having  adjufted  the 
heads,  and  Sketched  out  fome  particulars,  trufted  for  fuc- 
cefs  to  his  extemporary  powers.  Ke  did  not  endeavour 
to  aflift:  his  eloquence  by  any  gefticulations  ;  for,  as  no] 
corporeal  actions  have  any  correfpor.dence  with  theologi- 
cal truth,  he  did  not  fee  how  they  could  enforce  it.  At 
the  conclufion  of  weighty  fentences  he  gave  time,  by  a 
fhort  paufe,  for  the  proper  imprellion..  To  ftated  and 
public  inftruction  he  added  familiar  vifits  and  perfonal, 
application,  and  was  careful  to  improve  the  opportuni- 
ties, which  converfatian  offered,  of  ditfufing  and  increaf- 
ing  the  influence  of  religion. 

I5y 


WATTS. 


397 


*  By  his  natural  temper  he  was  quick  of  refentment  ; 
but,  by  his  ellabliihed  and  habitual  practice,  he  was  gen- 
tle,   modeft,  and   inoftenlive.      His  tendernefs    appeared 
in  his  attention  to   children,  and  to  the   poor.     To  the 
poor,  while  he  lived  in  the  family  of  his  friend,  he  allow- 
ed the  third  pare  of  his  annual  revenue,  though  the  whole 
was  not  an  hundred  a  year  ;  and  for  children,  he  conde- 
fcendedto  lay  afide  the  fcholar,  the   philoibpher,  and  the 
wit,  to  write  little  poems  of  devotion,  and  fyurems  of  in- 
ilruction,  adapted  to  their  wants  and  capacities,  from  the 
dawn  of  reafon  through  its  gradations  of  advance  in   the 
morning  of  life.      Every  man,  acquainted  with   the  com- 
mon principles  of  human  action,  will  look  with  veneration 
on  the  Writer,  who  is  at  one  time  combating  Locke,  and 
at  another  making  a  catechifm  for  children  in  their  fourth 
year.     A  voluntary  defcent  from  the  dignity  of  fcience  is 
perhaps  the  hardeft  leilbn  that  humility  can  teach.     As  his 
mind   was  capacious,  his  curiofity  excurlive,  and  his   in- 
duftry  continual,  his  writings  are  very  numerous,  and  his 
fubjecls  various.     With  his  theological  works  I  am  only 
.enough  acquainted  to  admire  his  meeknefs  of  oppofition, 
and  his  mildnefs  of  cenfure.     It  was  not  only  in  his  book, 
but  in  his  mind,  that  orthodoxy  was  united  with  charity. 
Of  his  philofophical  pieces,   his  logic  has  been    received 
into  the  univerfities,   and  therefore  wants  no  private  re- 
commendation :  If  he   owes  part   of  it  to  Le  Clerc,    \t 
mult  be  confidered  that  no  man,  who  undertakes  merely 
to  methodize   or  illuftrate   a  fyftem,    pretends  to   be  its 
author.     In  his  metaphyfical  difquifitions,  it  was  obferv- 
ed  by  the  late  learned  Mr-  Dyer,  that  he  confounded  the 
idea  of  /pace  with  that  of  e?npty  fpace,  and  did  not  confider, 
that  though  fpace  might   be  without  matter,  yet   matter 
being  extended,  could  not  be  without  fpace.     Few  books 
have  been  perufed  by  me  with  greater  pleafure  than  his 
"  Improvement  of  the  Mind,"  of  which  the   radical  prin- 
ciples may  indeed  be  found  in  Locke's  '  Conduct  of  the 
L  1  Underfiandaig;' 


398  W    A    T     T    6. 

Underftanding  •'  but  they  are  fo  expanded  and  ramified  by 
Watts,  as  to  confer  upon  him  the  merit  of  a  work  in 
the  higheft  degree  ufeful  and  pleafing.  Whoever  has 
the  care  of  inftructing  others,  may  be  charged  with  defi- 
ciency in  his  duty,  if  this  book  is  not  recommended. 

1  I  have  mentioned  his  treatifes  of  theology  as  diftinct 
from  his  other  productions  ;  but  the  truth  is,  that  what- 
ever  he  took  in  hand  was,  by  his  mediant  folicitucle  for 
fouls,  converted  to  theology.  As  piety  predominated  in 
his  mind,  it  is  diffufed  over  his  works  :  Under  his  direc- 
tion, it  may  be  truly  faid,  Theologize  Pbllofophia  ancillatur, 
philofophy  is  fubfervient  to  evangelical  inftruction  ;  it  is 
difficult  to  read  a  page  without  learning,  or  at  leaftwiib- 
ing,  to  be  better.  The  attention  is  caught  by  indirect 
instruction,  and  he  that  fat  down  only  toreafon,  is  on  a 
iuddsn  compelled  to  pray.  It  was  therefore  with  great 
propriety  that,  in  1728,  he  received  from  Edinburgh  and 
Aberdeen  an  unsolicited  d'ploma,  by  which  he  became  a 
doctor  of  divinity.  Academical  honours  would  have  more 
value,  if  they  were  always  beftowed  with  equal  judgment.' 

?Tis  not  often  poffible  to  bellow  them  with  equal  pro- 
priety; for  men,  like  Dr.  Watts,  the  christian  world  doth 
not  often  enjoy.  It  is  however,  a  true  obfervation, 
made  by  another  writer  (Mr.  Toplady)  upon  this  article 
that  '  Learned  feminaries  would  retrieve  the  departing 
refpectability  of  their  diplomas,  were  they  only  preferr- 
ed to  (I  will  not  fay,  fuch  men  as  Dr.  Watts;  for  few 
fuch  men  are  in  any  age  to  be  found:  But  to)  perfons 
of  piety,  orthodoxy,  erudition,  and  virtue.' 

'  Ke  continued  many  years  to  fludy  and  to  preach,  and 
,to  do  good  by  his  indirection  and  example  ;  till  at  lafl  the 
Infirmities  of  age  difabled  him  from  the  more  laborious 
part  of  his  ministerial  functions,  and,  being  no  longer 
capable  of  public  duty,  he  offered  to  remit  the  falary 
appendant  to  it ;  but  his  congregation  would  not  accept 
-rhe  refignation.     By  degrees  his  weaknefs  increafed,  and 


W     A     T     T     S.  399- 

at  laft  confined  him  to  his  chamber  and  his  bed ;  where 
he  was  worn  gradually  away  without  pain,  till  lie  ex- 
pired November  25,  1748,  in  the  feventy-nfth  year  of 
his  age.  Few  men  have  left  behind  fuch  parity  of  cha- 
racter, or  fuch  monuments  of  laborious  piety.  He  has 
provided  inftruction  for  all  ages,  from  thofe  who  are  lif- 
ping  their  firft  leffons,  to  the  enlightened  readers  of  Male- 
branche  and  Locke ;  he  has  left  neither  corporeal  nor 
fpiritual  nature  unexamined ;  he  has  taught  the  art  of 
reafoning,  and  the  fcience  of  the  liars.  His  character, 
therefore,  mult  be  formed  from  the  multiplicity  and  di- 
verfity  of  his  attainments,  rather  than  from  any  Tingle 
performance  ;  for  it  would  net  be  fafe  to  claim  for  hirn 
the  higheit  rank  in  any  fmgle  denomination  of  literary 
dignity  ;  yet  perhaps  there  was  nothing,  in  which  he 
would  not  have  excelled,  it  he  had  not  divided  his  powers 
to  different  purfuits.'      Thus  far  Dr.  Johnfon. 

But,  glad  as  we  are  to  confult  brevity  in  our  accounts 
of  gracious  perfons  in  order  to  admit  as  many  as  poifible 
Within  theprefcribed  limits  of  our  work,  we  cannot  dif- 
inifs  this  article,  without  a  few  edifying  additions  to  the 
memorial  of  this  excellent  Man.  What  feme  critics  have 
obferved  upon  the  moil  valuable  circumitance  of  his  cha- 
racter, which  they  have  been  pleafed  to  ftyle  f  the  en- 
thufiafm  of  his  heart,  operating  on  a  fanatical  creed, 
which  harried  him  too  often  into  extravagance  and  abfur- 
dity  -/  only  proves,  that  they  are  not  Welled  with  a  mind 
like  his,  capable  of  underftanding  the  fame  intellectual 
good,  and  that  confequently  they  are  too  incompetent  to 
decide  upon  what  is  (o  much  above  them.  Whatever  ril- 
es in  the  leart  degree  above  earth  and  fenfual  compre- 
hension ;  is  to  men,  who  know  no  happiriefs  (if  it  deierve 
the  name)  but  what  comes  from  earth.,  altogether  fanati- 
cal,  entnuhaftic,  and  abfurd.  The  logic  cf  their  dec ifion 
is,  (  We  know  it  not  ;  therefore,  it  is  not  to  be  known  3 
We  feel  no  influence  of  grace  :  therefore,  there  is  none  ; 

therefore,, 


4co  WATT     8. 

therefore,  it  is  all  chimera ;  therefore,  we  have  a  right 
to  ridicule. '  But,  omitting  the  reflections  of  men,  whole 
abftifdhies  are  more  dangerous  to  themfelves  than  preju- 
dicial to  the  caufe  of  truth,  we  fubjoin  a-  few  of  the 
dying  layings  of  this  bleffed  man,  which  were  preferved 
and  communicated  to  the  world  by  Dr.  Jennings,  who 
preached  his  funeral  fermon,  about  a  fortnight  after  the 
body  had  been  interred  at  Bunhill-Fields.  u  I  bids 
GOD,  fays  he,  I  can  lie  down  with  comfort  at  night, 
unfolicitous  whether  I  wake  in  this  world  or  another  !" 
His  faith  in  the  promifes  was  lively  and  unihaken  :  "  I 
believe  them  enough  to  venture  an  eternity  on  them  !" 
Once,  to  a  religious  friend,  he  expreffed  himfelf  thus  ; 
"  I  remember,  an  aged  minifler  ufed  to  fay,  that  the 
moil  learned  and  .knowing  chriftians,  when  they  come  to 
die,  have  only  the  fame  plain  promifes  for  their  fupport, 
as  the  common  and  unlearned.  And  fo  (continued  the 
Doctor)  I  find  it.  'Tis  the  plain  promifes  of  the  gof- 
pel  that  are  my  fupport  :  And,  I  blefs  GOD,  they  are 
plain  promifes,  which  do  not  require  much  labour  and 
pains  to  underftand  them:  For  I  can  do  nothing  now, 
but  look  into  my  bible,  for  fome  promife  to  fupport  me, 
and  live  upon  that."  On  feeling  any  temptations  tt> 
complain,  he  would  remark,  u  The  bulinefs  of  a  chri/tian 
is,  to  bear  the  will  of  GOD,  as  well  as  to  do  it.  If  I 
were  in  health,  I  could  only  be  doing  that :  And  that  I 
may  do  now.  The  beft  thing  in  obedience  is,  a  regard 
to  the  will  of  GOD  :  And  the  way  to  that,  is  to  get  our 
inclinations  and  averfions  as  much  mortified  as  we  can." 
With  fuch  a  calm  and  peaceful  mind,  and  with  fuch  a 
lively  hope  did  this  faithful  fervant  wifbfor  the  fummons, 
and  enter  into  the  joy  of  his  Lord. 

As  a  man,  Dr.  Watts  was  certainly  a  moft  amiable 
and  excellent  character.  Could  applaufe  cherilhthe  lau- 
rels which  candor  and  piety  have  placed  on  his  brow, 
they  would  flourim.  with   immortal   verdure.     Pure  and 

undiffembled 


W     ATT     S. 

uncliflembled  piety  waa  the  fettled  habit  of  his  mind. 
1  hough  he  loved  and  enjoyed  much  retirement,  yet  he 
did  not  contract  any  thing  of  an  affected  ftiffhefs  or 
monkiih  aufterity  ;  but  on  the  contrary,  the  pleafure  and 
fatisfaction  which  he  found  in  communion  with  GOD 
in  folitudc,  made  him  the  more  eafy  and  cheerful  in  his1 
converfe  with  men.  » 

His  humility  was  like  a  deep  made  to  fet  off  his  other- 
virtues,  and  made  them  ftiine  with  a  brighter  luftre*. 
Though  by  his  natural  temper  he  was  quick  in  relent- 
ment,  yet  by  his  fixed  habh  he  was  gentle  and  inoffen- 
five.  This  acquired  habit  had  no  fmall  effect  informing; 
his  fentiments.  For  he  thought  he  could  not  be  laid  too  - 
low,  as  a  creature  or  a  finner,  that  he  might  do  bono-  r 
to  the  perfections  and  grace  of  GOD.  From  this  prin- 
ciple, in  a  great  meafure,  rofe  that  high  eileem  which  he 
had  for  the  chriftian  difpenfation,  fo  apparently  calculat- 
ed to  exalt  GOD  and  to  humble  man.  Nor  was  his 
humility  lefs  confpicuous  in  Ins  outward  behaviour  to- 
wards others.  Hence  flowed  that  condefcenfion,  human- 
ity and  kindnefs,  which  could  not  but  endear  him  to  all 
who  had  the  pleafure  of  converting  with  him,  and  which 
rendered  him  truly  venerable  in  a  much  higher  degree, 
than  all  the  honours  and  applaufes  which  he  received  from 
the  world. 

In  clofe  connection  with  the  grace  of  humility  were  to 
be  feen  his  candor  and  charity,  for  which  he  was  remark- 
ably eminent.  The  love  which  he  bore  to  his  Saviour 
induced  him  cordially  to  embrace  whom  he  efteemed  his 
genuine  difciples.  No  party  names,  no  variety  of  fenti- 
ments  in  matters  of  doubtful  difputation,  nor  of  practice 
in  the  mode  of  worftiip,  could  divide  him  in  affection  from 
i'uch  as  he  had  reaibn  to  hope  loved  Chrifl  in  fincerity- 
He  therefore  maintained  a  free  and  friendly  correfpon- 
dence  with  chriftians  of  various  parties  and  denominations 
Though  he  judged  the  principles  of  the  moderate  non- 
Ltl    %  eonformiiis 


4o2  WAT     T     S. 

Gdnformiiis  mod  favourable  to  chriftian  liberty,  and  the 
rights  of  confcience,  and  their  forms  of  worihip  mofi 
agreeable  to  the  fimplieity  of  the  gofpel,  yet  he  had  a 
high  veneration  for  the  perfons  and  writings  of  many 
niinifters  and  chriflians  of  the  eitablifhed  church,  as  many 
of  them  had  for  him  and  his  works. 

His  own  account  of  his  fermons  is,  this  u  I  have  not 
entertained  you  with  lectures  of  philofopy  iniiead  of  the 
gofpel  of  Chrifr  ;  nor  have  I  affected  that  eafy  indolence 
of  ftyle,  which  is  the  cold  and  infipld  pleafureof  men  who 
pretend  to  pclitenefs.  You  know  it  has  always  been  the 
bufmefs  of  my  miniftry  to  convince  and  perfuade  your 
fouls  into  practical  godlinefs,  by  the  cleareit  and  ftrong- 
eft  reafons  derived  from  the  gofpel,  and  by  all  the  molt 
moving  methods  of  fpeech  of  which  I  was  capable  ;  but 
ftUI  in  a  humble  fubferviency  to  the  promifed  influences 
of  the  Holy  Spirit.  I  ever  thought  it  my  duty  to  prefs 
ihe  conviction  with  force  on  the  confeience,  when  light 
was  fidl  let  into  the  mind.  A  fiatue  hung  round  with 
moral  fentences,  or  a  marble  pillar  inferibed  with  divine 
truth,  may  coldly  preach  to  the  underftanding,  whilft 
devotion  freezes  at  the  heart;  but  the  prophets  and 
apoitles  were  burning  and  mining  lights.  They  were 
taught  by  infpiration  to  make  the  words  of  truth  glitter 
like  fun-beams,  and  to  operate  like  a  two-edged  fword. 
The  movements  of  facred  pafiion  may  be  the  ridicule  of 
an  age  which  pretends  to  nothing  but  calm  reafoning. 
Life  and  zeal  in  the  miniftry  of  the  word  may  be  defpifed 
by  men  of  lukewarm  and  dying  religion.  Fervency  of 
fpirit  in  the  fervice  of  the  Lord,  may  become  the  fcofi 
and  jefr  of  the  critic  and  the  profane  ;  but  this  very  life 
and  zeal,  this  facred  fervency  will  remain  a  bright  charac- 
ter of  a  chriftian  preacher,  till  the-  names  of  Paul  and 
Apollos  pcriih 'from  the  church,  till  the  Bible  and  the 
heavens  be  no  more." 

PHILIP 


[     4°3     ] 


PHILIP  DODDRIDGE,  D.  D. 


lUIS  eminent  divine  wasthefon  of  Danid  Doddridge, 
an  oilman  in  London,  where  he  was  born  June  the 
c6th,  ijz2>  He  was  the  twentieth  and  laft  child  of  his 
parents  :  The  reft,  except  one  daughter,  died  very  young. 
He  was  brought  up  in  the  early  knowledge  of  religion  b/ 
his  pious  parents,  but  was  firft.  initiated  in  the  elements 
of  the  learned  language*  under  one  Mr.  Scott,  a  minifter, 
who  taught  a  private  fchool  in  London.  In  the  year 
1712,  he  was  removed  to  Kingfton  upon  Thames- 
About  the  time  of  his  father's  death,  which  happened  in 
the  year  171  5,  he  was  removed  to  a  private  fchool  at  St. 
Albans,  under  the  care  of  a  worthy  and  learned  mailer, 
Mr.  Nathaniel  Wood.  Here  he  happily  commenced  an 
acquaintance  with  Dr  Samuel  Clark,  minifter  of  the  dif. 
fenting  congregation  there,  who  became  not  only  the 
instructor  of  his  youth  in  the  principles  of  religion,  but 
his  guardian,  when  a  helplefs  orphan,  and  a  generous  and 
faithful  friend  in  all  his  advancing  years;  for,  by  his  own 
and  his  friends  contribution;  he  hirnifiied  him  with  means 

to 


404  WATT     S. 

to  purfue  his  ftudies.  The  duchefs  of  Bedford,  being-. 
informed  of  his  circumftances,  character,  and  ftrong  in- 
clination to  learning,  by  his  uncle  Philip  Doddridge,  then 
fleward  to  that  noble  family,  made  him  an  offer,  that,  if 
he  chofe  to  be  educated  for  the  miniftry  of  the  church  of 
England,  and  would  go  to  either  of  its  univerfities,  flife 
would  fupport  the  expence  of  his  education;  and,  iffhe 
ihould  live  'till  he  had  taken  orders,  would  provide  for 
him  in  the  church.  This  propoial  he  received  with  the 
warmeit  gratitude,  but  in  the  moft  refpectful  manner  de- 
clined  it  ;  as  he  could  not  then  fatisfy  his  conlcience  to 
comply  with  the  terms  of  minifterial  conformity.  Yet 
he  continued  for  fome  time  in  great  diftrefs  from  an  ap- 
prehenfion,  that  he  fliould  not  be  able  to  profecute  his 
ftudies  for  the  miniftry  :  And  Dr.  Edmund  Calamy, 
whom  lie  confulted,  increaied  his  affliction,  by  advifing 
him  to  turn  his  thoughts  to  fome  other  profeflion.  Ac- 
cordingly, he  actually  was  engaging  himfelf  in  the  ftudy 
of  the  law  ;  when  his  friend,  Dr.  Clark,  hearing  of  his 
difficulties,  generoufly  offered  to  remove  them. 

la  October  1719,  he  was  placed  under  the  tuition  of 
the  reverend  Mr.  John  Jennings,  who  kept  an  academy 
at  Kibworth  in  Leiceiterihire,  a  gentleman  of  great  learn- 
ing and  piety;  and,  during  the  courfe  of  his  ftudies  at 
this  place,  he  was  noted  for  his  diligent  application  to  his 
proper  bufmefs,  ferious  fpirit,  and  extraordinary  care  to 
improve  his  talents.  He  was  fir  ft  fettled  as  a  miniiter  at 
Kibworth,  where  he  preached  to  a  finall  congregation  in 
an  obfeure  village,  and  where  he  had  much  time  to  apply 
himfelf  to  fcudy,  which  he  did  with  indefatigable  induftry. 
On  Mr.  Jennings's  death,  he  fucceeded  to  the  care  of  his 
academy,  and  foon  after  was  called  to  the  care  of  a  large 
dilfenting  congregation,  whither  he  carried  his  academy ; 
and  the  number  of  his  pupils  increafed.  Here  and  at 
Market  Harborough  juft  by,  and  la  Illy  at  Northampton, 

he 


DODDRIDGE.  405 

he  fpent  his  life,  in  his  clofet,  in  his  academy,  and  in  his 
congregation. 

A  journey  which  Dr.  Doddridge  took  to  St.  Alban's 
for  the  purpofe  of  preaching  Dr.  Clark's  funeral  ferrnon, 
laid  the  foundation  of  his  own  death.  In  that  journey, 
which,  was  in  December.  1750,  he  unhappily  contracted 
a  cold,  that  hung  upon  him  during  the  remainder  of  the 
winter.  When  the  fpring  advanced,  the  diforder  con- 
liderably  abated  ;  but  in  the  fummer  it  returned  again 
with  great  violence.  In  this  itate  of  his  health,  he  was 
advifed  by  his  phyficians  and  friends  to  lay  afide  his  public 
work  for  a  time,  and  to  apply  himfelf  to  the  life  of  pro- 
per medicines  and  exercife  for  the  removal  of  his  com- 
plaint. With  the  former  part  of  his  advice  he  could  not 
be  prevailed  upon  to  comply  ;  for,  in  his  eftimation,  to 
beufelefs  was  worfe  than  death.  Whilft  he  apprehend- 
ed that  there  was  no  immediate  danger,  he  could  not  be 
induced  to  decline,  or  even  leiTen,  the  various  facred  em- 
ployments in  which  he  fo  much  delighted.  The  nearer 
he  approached  to  his  difTolution,  the  more  plainly  was 
obferved  his  continual  improvement  ia  a  fpiritual  and 
heavenly  temper.  Indeed,  he  feemed  to  have  gotten 
above  the  world,  and  to  be  daily  breathing  after  immor- 
tality. This  difpolition  of  his  mind  was  ardently  expref- 
{ed  in  leveral  of  his  letters,  and  is  manifeft  from  his  will, 
which  was  made  at  this  time,  and  is  prefaced  in  the  fol- 
lowing language  :  "  Whereas  it  is  cuftomary  on  thefe 
"  occasions  to  begin  with  commending  the  foul  into  the 
"  hands  of  GOD  throuo-li  Chrift  ;  I  do  it,  not  in  mere 
"  form,  but  with  (incerity  and  joy  ;  efteeming  it  my 
iC  greateft  happinefs,  that  I  am  taught  and  encouraged  to 
"  doit,  by  that  glorious  gofpel,  which,  having  moit  ai- 
u  furedly  believed,  I  have  fpent  my  life  in  preaching  to 
Ci  others  ;  and  which  I  eiteem  an  infinitely  greater  trea- 
"  fure  than  all  my  little  worldly  ilore,  or  poiteilions  ten 
(i  thoufand  times  greater  than  jaaine." 

The 


/Tc6  DODDRIDGE. 

The  laft  time  that  Dr.  Doddridge  adminiftered  the 
Lord's  Snpper  to  his  congregation  at  Northampton,  was 
on  the  fecond  of  June,  1751.  In  the  fermon  which  he 
delivered  previoufly  to  the  celebration  of  the  ordinance, 
and  which  was  from  Hebrews  xii.  23,  he  expatiated  on 
theillufirious  and  innumerable  ailembly  that  would  meet 
together  in  the  celeftial  world ;  and  in  the  conclufion  of 
the  whole  fervice,  he  mentioned,  with  marks  of  uncom- 
mon pleafure,  the  authority  of  Chritl  over  ministers  and 
churches.  He  dropped,  likewiie,  fome  hints  of  his  ap- 
proaching deceafe,  and  fpoke  with  great  tendernefs  and 
affection  to  his  people  on  the  profpeet  ef  their  final  repara- 
tion. After  this  he  fpent  lome  weeks  in  London,  where 
the  hurries  and  fatigues  he  went  through  contributed  to 
increafe  his  diforder.  On  his  return  from  the  metropolis 
which  was  nearly  the  middle  of  July,  he  determined,  not- 
withstanding the  earnefl  entreaties  of  his  friends  to  the 
contrary,  to  addrefs  his  flock  once  more  from  the  pulpit. 
The  difcourfe,  which  proved  in  fact  to  be  his  farewelier- 
mon,  was  from  Romans  xiv.  8,  and  was  well  adapted, 
not  only  to  the  ftateojf  his  congregation,  but  to  that  of 
his  pupils,  for  whofe  future  improvement  and  welfare  he 
was  tenderly  concerned.  He  died  at  Lifbon,  where  he 
went  for  the  recovery  of  his  health  on  the  26th  of  October 
1751,  in  the  fiftieth  year  of  his  age  :  And  his  remains 
v.  ere  interred  in  the  burying  ground  belonging  to  the 
Eritifh  factory  there.  A  handfome  monument  was  erec- 
ted to  bis  memory  in  his  meeting  place  at  Northampton., 
at  the  expence  of  the  congregation.  A  few  days  before 
liis  death  he  wrote  to  his  afliiiant  at  Northampton,  giv- 
ing him  a  mort  account  of  his  voyage,  of  the  magnificent 
appearance  which  the  city  made  from  the  fea,  and  of 
what  he  obfervecl  in  pafiing  through  the  ftreets*  After 
mentioning  his  great  weaknefs  and  danger,  he  added, 
"  Neverthelefsy  J  blefs.GOD,  the  moil  undiiturbed 
"  ferenity  continues  in  my  mind,  and  my  strength  holds 

"  proportion 


DODDRIDGE.  407 

0  proportion  to  my  day.     I  {fill  hope  and  truft  in  GOD, 

"  and  joyfully  acquiefce  in  all  he    may  00  with    me. 
(( 

<( 

tt 

H 

ti 
U 

iC 

u 


When  yon  lee  my  dear  friends  of  the  congregation,  in- 
form  them  of  my  circumllances,  and  allure  them,  that 
I  cheerfully  fubmit  myielf  to  GOD.  If  I  delire  life 
may  be  reiiored,  it  i;  chieily  that  it  may  be  employed 
in  ferving  Chriit  among  them  ;  and  that  I  am  enabled 
by  faith  to  look  upon  death  as  an  enemy  that  ihall  be 
dedroyed;  and  can  cheerfully  leave  my  de.ir  Mr$. 
Doddridge  a  widow  in  a  ftrange  land,  if  fuch  be  the 
u  appointment  of  our  heavenly  Father.  I  hope  I  have 
"  done  my  duty,  and  the  Lord  do  asfeetneth  good  in  his 
"  fight." 

As  to  his  perfon,  he  was  rather  above  the  middle  fea- 
ture, extremely  thin  and  {lender  :  Ke  had  a  very  remark- 
able fprightlinefs  and  vivacity  in  his  countenance  and 
manner,  which  commanded  attention  both  in  private  and 
in  the  pulpit. 

Mr.  Job  Orton,  who  hath  drawn  up  an  excellent  ac- 
count of  his  life  at  large,  relates  many  very  edifying  para- 
ges concerning  the  Doctor's  ftudies,  engagements,  and 
conduct,  which  cannot  fair  of  giving  fatisfaction  to  every 
pious  reader.  Speaking  of  him,  in  his  miniiierial  office, 
Mr.  Orton  Cays,  (  That  the  vital  truths  of  the  gofpel,  and 
its  duties,  as  enforced  by  them,  were  his  favourite  topics. 
He  confidered  hirafelf  as  a  minifter  of  the  gofpel,  and 
therefore  could  not  fatisfy  himfelf  without  preaching 
Chrlfi  and  him  crucified.  He  never  puzzled  his  hearers 
with  dry  criticifms  and  abftrufe  difquiiitions  :  nor  content- 
ed himfelf  with  moral  effays  and  philoibphical  harangues, 
with  which  the  bulk  of  his  auditory  would  have  been  un- 
affected and  uneditied.  He  thought  it  crueity  to  GOD's 
children  to  give  them  (tones,  when  thay  came  for  bread. 
i(  It  is  my  defire,  faith  he,  not  to  entertain  an  auditory 
with  pretty  lively  things,  which  is  comparatively  eafy, 
but  to  come  clofe.to  their  confeierxes,  co  awaken  them  to 

a 


4oS  DODDRIDGE, 

a  real  fenfe  of  their  fpiritual  concerns,  to  bring  them  ts 
GOD,  and  keep  them  continually  near  to  him ;  which, 
to  me  at  leaft,  is  an  exceeding  hard  thing.''"  He  feldom 
meddled  with  controveriial  points  in  the  pulpit ;  never 
with  thofe,  with  which  he  might  reafonably  fuppoie  his 
congregation  was  unacquainted  ;  nor  fet  himfelf  to  con- 
fute errors,  with  which  they  were  in  no  danger  of  being 
infected.  When  hisfubject  naturally  led  him  to  mention 
ibme  writers,  from  whom  he  differed,  he  1  poke  of  them 
and  their  works  with  candor  and  tendernefs  ;  appealing 
conftantly  to  the  fcriptures,  as  the  flandard,  by  which  aU 
doctrines  are  to  be  tried.  He  always  fpoke  with  abhor- 
rence of  pailionately  inveighing  againft  our  brethren  in 
the  pulpit,  and  making  chriitian  ordinances  the  vehicle 
of  malignant  paffions.  He  thought  this  equally  affront- 
ing to  GOD  and  pernicious  to  men  ;  poifoning  inftead 
of  feeding  the  Jheep  of  Chrlfh 

Viewing  hi-s  conduct  as  tutor,  we  are  told,  that  one  of 
the  firft  things  he  expected  of  his  pupils,  was  to  learn 
Rich's  fhort  hand,  which  he  wrote  himfelf,  and  in  which 
his  lectures  were  written  ;  that  they  might  tranferibe 
them,  make  extracts  from  the  books  they  read  and  con- 
fulted,  with  eafe  and  fpeed,  and  fave  themfelves  many 
hours  in  their  future  compositions.  Care  was  taken  in 
the  firft  year  of  their  courfe  that  they  iliould  retain  and 
improve  that  knowledge  of  Greek  and  Latin  which  they 
had  acquired  at  fchool,  and  gain  fuch  knowledge  of  He- 
brew, if  they  had  not  learnt  it  before,  that  they  might  be 
able  to  read  the  Old  Teftament ;  a  care  very  important 
and  neceffary  to  this  end.  Belides  the  courfe  of  lectures 
in  a  morning,  claffcal  lectures  were  read  every  evening, 
generally  by  his  afnftant,  but  tornetimes  by  himfelf.  If 
any  of  his  pupils  were  deficient  in  their  knowledge  of 
Greek,  the  feniors,  who  were  beft  Ikilled  in  it,  were 
appointed  to  inilruct  them  at  other  times.  Thofe  of 
them,  who  choie  it,  w  ere  alfo  taught  French.      Svftems 

of 


DODDRIDGE. 


409 


of  logic,  rhetoric,  geography,  and  metaphyfics,  were  read 
during  the  firft  year  of  their  courfe,  and  they  were  re- 
ferred to  particular  paflages  in  other  authors  upon  thefe 
fubjecls,  which  illuftrated  the  points    on    which  the  lec- 
tures had  turned.     To  thefe  were  added  lectures  on  the 
principles  of  geometry  and  Algebra.     After  thefe  ftudies 
were  Hniflied,  they  were  introduced  to  the  knowledge  of* 
trigonometry,  conic  fedions,  and  celeftial  mechanics.     A 
fyftem  of  natural  and   experimental  philofophy,  compre- 
hending mechanics,  ftatics,  hydroftatics,  pneumatics,  and 
aftronomy,   was  read  to  them  ;   with  references  to    the 
bed  authors  on  thefe  fubjecls.     This  fyftem  was  illuftrat- 
ed  by  a  neat    and  pretty  large    philosophical    apparatus, 
part  of  which  was  the  gift  of  lbme  of  his  friends,  and  the 
remainder  purchafed  by  a  fmall  contribution  from  each  of 
the  {Indents,  at  his  entrance  on  that  branch  of  fcience. 
Some  other  articles  were  touched  upon,  efpecially  hiftory, 
natural    and    civil ;  as    the  ftudents   proceeded   in   their 
courfe,  in  order  to  enlarge  their  under  {landings,  and  give 
them  venerable   ideas  of  the  works  and   providence  of 
GOD.     A  diftinft  view    of  the  human  body   was  given 
them,  as  it  tended  to  promote  their  veneration  and  love 
for  the  great  Architect   of  this  amazing    frame,  whole 
wonders  of  providential  influence  alfo  are  fo  apparent  in 
its  fupport,  nourilhment  and  motion  ;  and  all    concurred 
to  render  them  agreeable  and  ufeful  in  converfaiion,  and 
to  fubferve  their  honourable  appearance  in  the  miniftry. 

A  large  fyftem  of  Jewiih  antiquities,  which  their  tutor 
had  drawn  up,  was  read  to  them  in  the  later  years  of 
their  courfe,  in  order  to  illuftrate  numberlefs  parages  in 
the  fcriptures,  which  cannot  be  well  underftood  without 
a  knowledge  of  them  :  They  were  alfo  referred  to  the 
beft  writers  upon  the  fubjecl.  But  the  chief  object  of 
their  attention  and  ftudy,  during  three  years  of  their 
courfe,  was  his  fyftem  of  divinity  in  the  largeft  extent 
of  the  word  ;  including  what  is  molt  material  in  pneuma- 
M  rn  tolqgy 


4io  DODDRIDGE- 

/tclogy  and  ethics.  In  this  compendium  were  contained, 
in  as  few  words  as  perfpicnity  would  admit,  the  molt 
material  things  which  had  occurred  to  the  author's  obser- 
vation, relating  to  the  nature  and  properties  of  the  hu- 
man mind,  the  proof  of  the  exiilence  and  attributes  of 
GOD,  the  nature  of  moral  virtue,  the  various  branches 
of  it,  and  the  means  fubfervient  to  it,  and  the  fanctions 
by  which  its  precepts,  confidered  as  GOD's  natural  law, 
ire  inforced  :  Under  which  head,  the  natural  evidence 
of  the  immortality  of  the  foul  was  largely  examined.  To 
this  was  added  fome  furvey  of  what  is,  and  generally  has 
Jbeett,  the  (late  of  virtue  in  the  world.  From  whence  the 
tr.anfition  was  eafy  to  the  need  of  a  revelation,  the  en- 
couragemei^t  to  hope  for  it,  and  the  nature  of  the  evi- 
dence which  might  probably  attend  it.  From  hence  the 
work;  naturally  proceeded  to  the  evidence  produced  in 
proof  of  that  revelation  which  the  fcriptures  contain.  The 
genuinenefs,  credibility,  and  infpiration  of  thefe  facred 
books,  were  then  cleared  up  at  large,  and  vindicated  from 
the  raoft  confiderable  objections,  which  infidels  have 
urged. 

When  thefe  foundations  were  laid,  the  chief  doctrines 
of  fcripture  were  drawn  out  into  a  large  detail ;  thofe 
relating  to  the  Father,  Son  and  Spirit  ;  to  the  original 
and  fallen  ftate  of  man  ;  to  thefcheme  of  our  redemption 
by  Chrift,  and  the  offices  of  the  Spirit,  as  the  great 
:gent  in  the  Redeemer's  kingdom.  The  nature  of  the 
covenant  of  grace  was  particularly  ft ated  ;  and  the  feveral 
precepts  and  inilitutions  of  the  gofpel,  with  the  views 
which  it  gives  us  of  the  concluding  fcenes  of  our  world, 
and  of  the  eternal  itate  beyond  it.  What  feemed  moifc 
evident  on  thefe  heads,  was  thrown  into  the  propofitions  ; 
fome  of  which  were  problematical ;  and  the  chief  conr.ro- 
verfies,  relating  to  each,  were  thrown  into  the  fchotia, 
and  all  illuftrated  by  a  very  large  collection  of  references ; 
containing,  perhaps,  one   lecture   with  another,  the  fub- 

j lance 


DODDRIDGE.  4n 

fiance  of  forty  or  fifty  octavo  pages ;  in  which  the  fenr 
timents  and  reafonings  of  the  molt  confiderable  authors,  • 
on  all  thefe  heads,  might  be  feen  in  their  own  words. 
It  was  the  butinefs  of  the  Undents  to  read  and  contract: 
theie  references,  in  the  intervals  between  the  lectures  ; 
of  which  only  three  were  given  in  a  week,  and  fometimes 
but  two.  This  was  the  author's  capital  work  as  a  tutor  ; 
he  had  Spent  much  labour  upon  it,  and  was  continually 
enriching  it  with  his  remarks  on  any  new  productions 
upon  the  Several  Subjects  handled  in  it.  This  fy Item  his 
pupils  transcribed :  It  is  now  publiihcd,  and  the  world 
will  judge  of  its  value  and fukablenefs  to  anfuer  the  end 
propoled.  Critical  lectures  on  the  New  Teffament  were 
weekly  delivered,  which  the  Students  were  permitted 
and  encouraged  to  tranferibe,  to  lead  them  to  the  better 
knowledge  of  the  divine  oracles.  Thefe  contained  his 
remarks  on  the  language,  meaning,  and  deiign  of  the 
facred  writer*,  and  the  interpretations  and  criticifms  of 
themoit  conaderable  commentators.  Many  of  thefe  he 
has  infer  ted  in  the  "  Family  Expofitor."  In  the  lail 
year  of  the  courfe,  a  Set  of  lectures  on  preaching  and  the 
paftoral  care,  was  given  :  Thefe  contained,  general  direc- 
tions concerning  the  method  to  be  taken  to  furnilh  them 
for  the  work  of  preaching  ;  the  characters  of  the  beft 
practical  writers  and  commentators  upon  the  Bible,  ma- 
ny particular  rules  for  the  compofition  of  fermons,  their 
proper  Style,  the  choice  and  arrangement  of  thoughts,  and 
the  delivery  of  them  ;  directions  relating  to  public  prayer, 
expolition,  catechizing,  the  administration  of  the  Sacra- 
ments, and  paftoral  viiits  :  To  thefe  were  added  many- 
general  maxims  for  their  conversation  and  conduct  as  mi- 
lliters, and  a  variety  of  prudential  rules,  for  their  be- 
haviour in  particular  circumstances  and  connections,  in 
which  they  might  be  placed.  While  the  Undents  were 
jwrfuing  thefe  important  ftudies,  fome  lectures  were  giv- 


/|i2  D  O  D  D  R  I  D  G  £. 

en  them  on  civil  law,  ihe  hieroglyphics  and  mythology  of 
the  ancients;  the  En  glim,  niftory,  particularly  the  hiitory 
of  nonconformity,  and  the  principles  on  which  a  repara- 
tion from  the  church  of  England  is  founded.  The  tutor 
principally  infilled  upon  thole  laid  down  by  Dr>  Calamy, 
in  his  introduction  to  the  fecond  volume  of  his  defence  of 
moderate  nonconformity. 

One  day  in  every  week  was  fet  apart  for  public  exer- 
cifes;  at  thefe  times  the  tranflations  and  orations  of  the 
junior  Undents  were  read  and  examined  ;  thofe,  who  had 
eutered  on  the  ftudy  of  pneumatology  and  ethics,  produc- 
ed, in  their  turns,  thefe  on  the  feveral  fubjects   amgned 
them,    which    were    mutually     oppofcd  and   defended. 
Thole  who  had  finilhed  ethics  delivered  homilies  (as  they 
were  called,  todiftinguifii  them  from  fermons)  on  the  na- 
tural   and  moral  perfections  of  GOD,  and    the  feverai 
branches  of  moral   virtue ;    while    the    fenior    ftudents 
brought  analyfes  of  fcnpture,   the  fchemes  of  fermons, 
and  afterwards  the  fermons  themfelv.es,  which  they  fub- 
mitted  to  the  examination  and   correction   of  their  tutor- 
In  this  part  of  his  work  he  was  very  exacl,  and  friendly  ; 
efteeming  his  remarks  on  their  compofitions  more  ufefut 
to  young  preachers,  than  any  general   rules  of  compofi- 
tion,  which  could  be  offered  them  by  thofe,  who  were 
themfelves  molt  eminent  in  the  profeflion.      In  this  view 
he  furnimed  them  with  fubordinate  thoughts,  and  proper 
fcriptures  for   proof   or   ill  u  ft  ration,  retrenching    what 
was  fuperfluous,  and  adding  what  was  wanting.     It  was 
his  care,  through  the  whole  courie  of  their  ftudies,  that  his 
pupils  might  have  fuch  a  variety  of  lectures,  weekly,  as 
might    engage    their    minds    without    detracting    them. 
While  they  were  attending  and  ftudying  lectures  of  the 
greateil  Lnportance,  fome  of  lefs  importance,  though  ufe- 
ful  in  themfelves,  were  given  in  the  intervals;  thefe  had 
generally  fome  connexion  with  the  former  ;  and  all  were 
adapted  to  make  the  man  of  GOD  1>erfe£lh  thoroughly  fur- 

tufhed 


DODDRIDGE. 

/;///:c  d  unto  all  good  works.  He  contrived  that  they  fhonld 
Dave  as  much  to  read  between  each  lecture,  as  might  keep 
them  well  employed,  allowing  due  time  for  necelFary  .  ■■■ 
laxations,  and  the  reading  practical  writers;  he  recom- 
mended it  to  them,  and  ftrongly  infilled  upon  it,  tbtet 
they  mould  converfe  with  fome  of  thefe  daily,  efpecially 
on  the  Lord's  day,  in  order  to  fubferve,  at  once,  the  im- 
provement of  the  chriftiah  and  the  minister:  And  he  fre- 
quently reminded  them,  that  it  argued  a  great  defect:  of 
understanding,  as  well  as  of  real  piety,  if  they  were  neg- 
ligent herein.  He  often  examined  what  books  they  read, 
betides  thofe  to  which  they  were  referred  in  their  lec- 
tures, and  directed  them  to  thofe  which  were  beSt  Suited 
to  their  age,  capacities,  and  intended  profdilion,  and  in 
this  refpect  they  enjoyed  a  great  privilege;  as  they  had 
the  ufe  of  a  large  and  valuable  library,  confuting  of  feve- 
ral  thousands  of  volumes;  manv  of  them  the  Doctor  had 
purchafed  himfelf,  ethers  were  the  donations  of  his  friends, 
or  their  feveral  authors  ;  and  each  Student,  at  his  admif- 
fion,  contributed  a  fmall  fum  towards  enlarging  the  col- 
lection ;  the  Student's  name  was  inferted  in  the  book  or 
books  purchafed  with  his  contribution  ;  and  i:  was  con- 
sidered as  his  gift. 

To  this  library  the  Students  had  accefs  at  all  times, 
"under  fome  prudent  regulations  as  to  the  time  of  keeping 
the  books.  The  tutor  was  feniible,  that  a  well  furnished 
library  would  be  afnare  rather  than  a  benefit  to  a  Student., 
except  he  had  the  advice  of  a  more  experienced  friend  in 
the  choice  of  thofe  he  Should  read ;  as  he  might  throw 
away  his  time  in  thofe  which  were  of  little  importance, 
or  anticipate  the  perufal  of  others,  which  might  more 
properly  be  refer ved  to  fome  future  time.  To  prevent 
this,  he  Sometimes  gave  his  pupils  lectures  on  the  books 
in  the  library,  going  over  the  Several  Shelves  in  order,  in- 
forming them  of  the  character  of  each  book  and  its  author, 
if  known  ;  at  what  period  of  their  courfe,  and  with  what 
Mm  -2  fp- 


4*4  DODDRIDGE. 


ich 


fpecial  views  particular  books  mould  be  read,  and  whi< 
of  them  it  was  deferable  they  mould  be  moil  familiarly  ac- 
quainted and  furnifhed  with,  when  they  fettled  in  the 
world.  His  pupils  took  hmts  of  thefe  lectures,  which  at 
once  displayed  the  extent  of  his  riding  and  knowledge, 
and  were  in  many  refpects  very  ufeful  to  them.  The 
Doctor's  manner  of  lecturing  was  well  adapted  to  eno-ape 
the  attention  and  love  of  his  pupils,  and  promote  their 
diligent  fcudy  of  the  lectures.  When  the  clafs  aSlemb- 
led,  he  examined  them  in  the  lait  lecture,  whether  they 
understood  his  reafoning  •  what  the  authors  referred  to 
laid  on  the  fubject :  whether  he  had  given  them  a  jufr. 
view  of  their  fentimencs,  arguments,  and  objections ',  or 
omitting  any  that  were  important.  He  expected  from 
them  an  account  of  the  reafoning,  demonftrations,  fcfip- 
tures  or  facts,  contained  in  the  lecture  and  reference;. 

He  alios',  ed  and  encouraged  them  to  propcfe  any  ob- 
jections, which  mioht  arife  in  their  own  minds,  or  which 
they  met  with  in  the  authors  referred  to,  cf  which  they 
did  not  think  there  was  a  fuflicient  folution  in  the  lecture  ; 
cr  to  mention  any  texts  that  were  misapplied,  or  from 
which  particular  confequences  might  not  be  fairly  drawn, 
and  to  propofe  others,  which  either  confirmed  or  con- 
tradifted  what  he  had  advanced  ;  and,  it  at  any  time  their 
objections  were  petulant  or  impertinent,  he  patiently 
heard,  and  mildly  anfwered  them,.  He  was  folicitous  that 
they  fliould  thoroughly  underiland  his  lectures,  and  what 
be  faid  for  the  it'uftration  of  them  :  If  he  obferved  any  cf 
them  inattentive,  or  thought  they  did  not  iufficiently  un- 
dcrflaud  what  he  was  laying,  he  would  alk  them  what 
he  had  faid,  that  he  might  keep  up  their  attention,  and- 
know  whether  he  exprefTed  himfelf  clearly  ;  he  put  on 
no  magifterial  airs,  never  intimidated  nor  difcour,aged 
them,  but  always  addrefied  them  with  the  freedorn  and 
tendemefs  of  a  father;  He  never  expected  nor  deiired, 
that  they  mould  blindly   follow  his  femiments,   but  per- 

luitteclt. 


DODDRIDGE.  415 

ted  ami  em  d  them  to  judge  for  tfremfelves.  To 

alTift  them  herein,  he  laid  before  rhem  wh  irehend- 

ed  to  be  the  truth,  wkh  all  perfpicutty,  and  i ..: 
ib.rcd  all  objecTions  to  it  ;  he  never  concealed  the  difficul- 
ties which  affi  A,  but  referred  them  to 
ters  on  both  tides,  hiding  any  from  their  in- 
fpection.  lie  frequently  and  warmly  urged  them  not  to 
take  their  fyftem  cf  divinity  from  any  man,  or  body  of 
men ,  but  from  the  word  of  GOD.  The  Bible  was  al  tfays 
referred  and  appealed  to  upon  every  point  in  quqftion, 
to  which  it  could  be  fuppofed  to  give  any  light. 

The  only  proper  controverfy  that  he  was  ever  engag- 
ed in,  was  with  the  author  of  a  treatife,  entitled,  '  ChriU 
tianity  not  founded  en  Argument/*  &c.  pubiiihed  in  the 
year  1742,  to  whom  he  wrote  three  letters,  which  were 
published  foon  after  one  another,  in  1 743-  The  author 
of  this  treatife,  under  the  form  of  a  molt  orthodox  and 
zealous  chriftian,  pretends  to  cry  up  the  immediate  tef~ 
tirncny  of  the  Spirit,  and  aflerts  its  abfolute  neceihty  in 
order  to  the  belief  of  the  gofpel  :  while  at  the  fame  time 
he  endeavours  to  expofe  all  kind  of  rational  evidence  by 
tkrh  it  could  be  fupported,  and  advances  feveral  very 
cunning  mfmuations  again  ft  the  truth  of  it,  in  the  mod 
pernicious  view.  Dr.  Doddridge,  therefore,  chofe  to 
publiih  feme  remarks  upon  it,  not  only  to  defend  Chris- 
tianity in  general,  but  to  explain  and  fupport  fome  im- 
portant troth?  of  it,  particularly  the  agency  of  the  divine 
opirit,  which  fome  had  denied,  becaufc  others  had  mifre- 
prefented.  'tie  thought  this  treatife  affected  the  founda- 
tion of  natural  as  well  as  revealed  religion,  and  that  the 
crous  turns  given  to ■  icriptures  in  it,  and  the  air  of 
bnrlefque  and  irony  which  runs  through  ir,  were  very 
unbecoming  a  wife  and  benevolent  man,  or  the  infinite 
Bent  of  the  quefdon  in  debate- 
In  1747  he  publiihed  fome  remarkable  pafoges  in  the 
James  Gard'mer,  who  was  flam  by  the  re- 
bels 


;io  DODDRIDGE'- 

bels  at  the  battle  of  Prefton  Pans,  September  21,  1745. 
He  defigned  by  this  work,  not  merely  to  perform  a  tri- 
bute of  gratitude  to  the  memory  of  an  invaluable  friend, 
but  ol  duty  of  GOD  and  his  fellow-creatures,  as  he  had 
a  chearfui  hope  that  the  narrative  would,  under  a  divine 
bleiling,  be  the  means  of  fpreading  a  warm  and  lively 
fenfe  of  religion.  The  firft  practical  piece  he  publifhcd, 
was  "  Sermons  on  the  Education  of  Children,  1732." 
This  he  intended  principally  for  the  life  of  his  own  con- 
gregation ;  to  iuppiy,  in  fome  meafure,  that  want  of 
more  frequent  perfcnal  infrxuclions  on  the  fubj eel,  which 
his  care  of  his  pupils  neceiTarily  occafioned.  Thefe  dif- 
courfes  contain  a  variety  of  important  advices  and  affec- 
ting motives,  in  a  little  compafs,  and  have  been  very  ufe- 
ful  to  ailift  parents  in  this  difficult  work.  His  tender 
concern  for  the  rifmg  generation  {hewed  itfelfin  his 
"  Sermons  to  Young  People,"  publiihed  in  1735;  and 
in  his  "  Principles  of  the  Chriftian  Religion,"  in  verfe, 
for  the  ufe  of  children  and  youth,"  publiihed  in  1743. 
In  this  composition,  which  was  drawn  up  by  thedefire  of 
his  friend,  Dr.  Clark,  he  hath  happily  united  eafe,  plain- 
nefs,  and  elegance.  In  1736,  he  publiihed  (i  Ten  Ser- 
mons on  the  power  and  grace  of  Clirifr,  and  the  evidenc- 
es of  his  glorious  gofpel."  Thefe  three  laft,  on  the 
evidences  of  the  gofpel,  were,  in  fome  later  editions,  by 
the  particular  delire  of  one  of  the  firft  dignitaries  of  the 
church  of  England,  printed  fo  as  tobahad  feparate  from 
the  former.  They  contain  a  fufficient  defence  of  chrif- 
tianity,  and  are  well  adapted  to  the  ufe  cf  thofe  whofe 
oliice  calls  them  to  defend  it.  It  gave  the  author  ang- 
ular pleafure  to  know  that  thefe  fermons  were  the 
means  of  convincing  two  gentlemen  of  a  liberal  education 
and  diftinguifhed  abilities,  who  had  been  deiits,  thatchrif- 
lianity  was  true  and  divine  ;  And  one  of  them,  who  had 
fet  himfclf  zealondy  to  prejudice  others  againfi:  the  evi- 
dences and  contents  of  the  gofpel;    became    a  zealous 

preacher, 


DODDRIDGE.  417 

preacher,  and  an  ornament  of  the  religion  he  had  once 
denied  and  defptfed.  In  1 741 ,  ihe  Doctor  publifbed  fome 
Practical  difcourfes  on  Regeneration,  in  1745,  he  pub- 
limed  another  practical  treadle,  entitled,  "  Hie  Rift 
and  progrefs  of  Religion  in  the  Soul,  illuftrated  in  a 
courfe  of  ierious  and  practical  addreffes,  fuitedto  perfons 
of  every  Character  and  Circumftance ;  with  a  devout 
Meditation  and  Prayer  added  to  each  chapter."  Dr. 
Watts  had  projected  fuch  a  work  hiinfeif,  but  his  grow- 
ing infirmities  prevented  his  execution  of  it.  Fie  recom- 
mended it,  therefore,  to  Dr.  Doddridge,  imagining  him 
the  fitteft  perfon  of  his  acquaintance  to  execute  it  in  a 
manner  that  would  be  acceptable  and  ufeful  to  the  world. 
It  was  with  fome  reluctance  he  undertook  fuch  a  work, 
amidfl;  his  many  other  weighty  concerns.  But  Dr.  Watts' s 
heart  was  (o  much  fet  upon  the  detign,  and  he  urged  his 
undertaking  it  with  fo  much  importunity,  th.J.t  he  could 
not  deny  his  requerc,  after  having  been  honoured  with 
his  friendihip  for  many  years,  and  receiving  much  aftif- 
tance  and  encouragement  from  him,  in  feverai  of  his 
undertakings  for  the  good  of  the  church.  After  this 
work  was  rimmed,  Dr.,  Watts  reviled  as  much  of  it  as  his 
health  would  admit.  It  is,  indeed,  a  body  of  practical 
divinity  and  chriftian  experience,  and  contains,  as  it  were, 
the  fubftance  of  all  the  Author's  preaching;  and,  conli- 
dering  how  comprehensive  it  is,  there  is  hardly  any  (in- 
gle treatife  which  may  be  more  ferviceable  to  young  mim- 
ilers  and  (Indents. 

His  "  plain  and  ferions  addrefs  to  the  mailer  of  a 
family,  en  the  important  fubject  of  Family  Religion/'  de- 
serves particular  notice,  as  it  has  patted  through  feverai 
editions,  been  very  ferviceable  to  miniiters,  who,  by  put- 
ting it  into  the  hands  of  matters  of  prayerlefs  Families, 
might  excite  them  to  their  duty,  without  being  expofed 
to  thofe  inconveniences,  which  a  perfonal  admonition 
ffiight,  in  fome  cafes  and  with  fome  temper?,  be  attend- 
ed: 


4i3  DODDRIDGE. 

ed  :  And  the  Author's  reafoning  is  fo  plain  and  forcible, 
as  to  leave  thofe  inexcufable,  who,  after  reading  it,  will 
continue  in  this  (hameful  and  pernicious  neglect.  Since 
his  deceafe,  his  leiTer  pieces  have  been  reprinted,  in  three 
imall  volumes  :  But  his  capital  work  was,  "  The  Family 
Exporter,"  containing  a  Verfion  and  Paraphrafe  of  the 
New  Teftament,  with  critical  notes,  and  a  practical  Im- 
provement of  each  feclion,  in  fix  volumes  8vo  He  had 
been  preparing  for  this  from  his  entrance  on  the  miniftry, 
and  kept  it  in  view  in  the  future  courfe  of  his  ftudies. 

It  has  been  already  obferved,  that  his  works  have  been 
much  read  and  elleemed  ;  I  would  add,  that  the  moft  con- 
siderable of  them  have  been  translated  into  foreign  lan- 
guages, and  publifhed  abroad.  In  1748  he  reviled  the 
expofitory  works  and  other  remains  of  the  excellent 
archbiihop  Leighton,  and  tranfiated  his  Latin  prelections, 
which  were  printed  together  in  two  volumes  at  Edin- 
burgh. The  archbifhop's  commentary  upon  the  firft 
epiitle  of  St.  Peter  hath  fince  been  reprinted,  under  the 
iufpection  of  the   reverend  Mr.  Fofter,  at  London. 


(     4^9     ) 


Cffi^=== =» ~T^~e~t-±a~i%g 


Rev.  JONATHAN  HOWARDS. 


BIOGRAPHY  is  confeffedlv  a  very  agreeable  ftudy, 
and  when  eminent  and  good  men  are  the  iubjecis  of 
it,  no  lefs  inftructive  and  improving.  W  e  contemplate 
with  pleafure  thofe  who  have  attained  degrees  of  virtue 
or  knowledge  which  ourfelves  are  feeking  ;  and  there  is  a 
voice  in  acts  of  piety  and  benevolence,  like  that  of  the 
Redeemer,  <  Co  thou  and  do  likewife  :'  but  Chriitian 
Biography  has  another  end  in  view ;  we  are  taught  to 
conlider  believers  as  '  The  workmanihip  of  Chrifr  Jefus, 
*  created  anew  unto  good  works:'  and  certainly  thelree- 
nels  and  power  of  divine  grace  are  no  lefs  conspicuous  in 
thele,  tlum  are  the  other  attributes  of  Deity  in  the  works 
of  nature  and  providence.  Or,  to  borrow  another  me- 
taphor of  infpiration,  they  are  the  living  epiftles  of  Jefus 
Chrifr,  and  have  thefe  particular  advantages  over  thofe 
infcribed  with  ink  and  pen,  that  they  are  both  more  du- 
rable and  more  legible — they  are  living,  and  as  durable 
as  eternal  life  ;  they  are  '  feen  and  read  of  all  men  :'  for 
the  moft  illiterate   can  read  the  language  of  a   holy  life, 

though 


420  EDWARD     S. 

though  they  may  not  be  able  to  read  a  line  or  a  letter  of* 
the  infpired  voldnie. 

Prelident  Edwprds,  was  one  of  the  wifeft,  beft,  and 
mofr,  ufeful  preachers  this  age  has  produced  ;  his 
writings  exhibit  a  remarkable  ftrength  of  intellect; 
the  perfpicuity  of  thought  and  depth  of  penetration 
difcovered  in  his  vindication  of  the  great  doctrines  of 
Chriftianity,  prove  him  to  be  a  good  Icholar,  a  bright 
genius,  and  a  great  divine. 

This  learned  and  moil  excellent  man  was  born  at 
Windibr,  in  the  province  of  Conr.ecticut,  October  ctb, 
1703  ;  was  entered  at  Yale  College  in  1716,  and  Tiade 
bachelor  of  arts  in  1720,  before  be  was  feventeen  years 
of  age.  liis  mental  powers  opened  themfelves  fo  early 
and  fo  vigcrouily,  that  he  read  Locke's  EiTay  upon  hu- 
man understanding  with  uncommon  delight  at  thirteen 
years  of  age:  even  at  that  period  difcovering  a  depth, 
folidity,  and  penetration  of  mind,  which  found  nothing 
fo  pleafant  to  itfelf  as  the  exercife  of  its  own  powers. 

He  lived  at  college  near  two  years  after  taking  this 
flrft  degree,  preparing  himfelf,  principally,  for  the  facred 
function.  After  pafling  the  ufual  trials,  he  was  licenfed, 
according  to  the  cuftom  of  the  college  and  the  form  of 
religion  in  the  province,  to  preach  the  gofpel  as  a  can- 
didate. 

In  Auguft  1711,  he  received  a  call  to  preach  to  the 
Engliih  Prefbyierians  at  New  York,  where  he  continued 
with  approbation  above  eight  months.  This  fociety  was 
then  too  fmall  to  maintain  a  minifter ;  and  therefore,  in 
the  fpring  of  the  year  1723,  he  returned  to  his  father's 
houfe  in  Connecticut,  where,  during  the  following  fum- 
mer,  he  followed  his  ftudies  with  the  clofeft  application. 
It  appears,  '  however,  that  he  had  a  deep  fenfe  of  the 
chriftian  and  minifterial  profeflion  upon  his  mind  during 
his  abode  at  New  York,  that  the  people  he  watched  over 

became 


E    D     VT     A     ft    D     S.  421 

became  very  dear  to  him,  and  that  he  left  them,  at  hit 
with  great  regret. 

In  the  ipring  of  the  year  1724,  having  taken  his  maf- 
ter's  degree  in  the  year  before,  he  v.  as  chofen  tutor  of 
Yale  College,  and  he  followed  this  duty  above  two  years. 
It  mult  be  owned,  that  this  was  an  engagement  of  great 
confequence  for  a  young  man  of  twenty. one,  who,  by 
his  early  introduction  into  the  miniftry,  and  other  avoca- 
tions, could  not  have  found  too  many  opportunities  for 
his  own  improvement ;  but  the  ftrength  of  his  mind  over- 
came what  are  ufually  infuperable  difficulties  in  the  way 
of  the  generality  ;  and  perhaps  his  genius  acted  more 
forcibly  from  its  not  being  confined  with  academical  fet- 
ters, which  elevated  geniules  can  feldom  endure. 

In  September,  1726,  he  refigned  his  tutorihip,  in  con- 
fequence of  the  invitation  of  the  people  at  Northampton, 
in  Connecticut,  for  afliftance  to  his  mother's  father,  Mr- 
Stoddard,  who  was  the  fettled  minifter  of  the  town.  He 
was  ordained  colleague  on  the  15th  of  February,  1727, 
in  the  twenty-fourth  year  of  his  age,  and  continued  in 
the  minifterial  fervice  there  till  the  22d  of  June,  1750, 
when  he  was  difmiiTed  for  attempting  to  reform  the 
church. 

What  feems  at  firft  to  have  rendered  Mr.  Edwards 
an  object  of  hatred,  was  a  circumftance,  which  mould 
have  made  him,  and  certainly  would,  among  perfons  tru- 
ly religious,  an  object  of  love.  Some  young  perfons  of 
his  flock  had  procured  iome  obfcene  publications,  which, 
they  commented  upon  among  themfelves  for  their  own 
proficiency  in  lafcivioufnefs,  and  propagated,  with  the 
ufual  decency  of  fuch  perfons,  for  the  infection  of  others. 
This  came  in  a  fnort  time  to  Mr.  Edwards's  ears ;  and 
therefore  taking  occafion  after  a  fermon  upon  Keb.  xiU 
15,  16.  preached  for  the  purpofe,  to  call  the-  leading 
members  of  his  charge  together,  he  informed  them  of 
what  he  had  heard,  and  procured  a  confent  that  the 
N  n  matter 


422  EDWARDS. 

rffatter  fhould  be  examined.  A  committee  was  appoint- 
ed for  this  purpofe,  and  to  aflift  the  paitor.  When  this 
was -done,  Mr.  Edwards  appointed  a  time  of  meeting, 
and  then  read  a  lift  of  the  names  of  young  perfons^  accus- 
ing and  accilfed,  without  Specifying  under  which  predica- 
ment rhey  flood,  who  were  deiired  to  come  together  at 
his  houie. 

Upon  the  declaration  of  names,- it  appeared  that  almoft 
~;il  the  families  in  the  town  had  fome  relation  or  other 
concerned  in  the  matter  ;  and  therefore  a  great  num- 
ber of  the  heads  of  families  not  only  altered  their  minds 
:  bout-examination,  but  declared,  that  the:r  children,  &c 
ihould  not  be  called  to  account  for  fuch  things  as  thefe. 
The  town  was  immediately  in  a  bla7e :  and  this  fo 
ifrengthened  the  hands,  .or  hardened  the  f?.ces  of  the 
guilty,  that  they  let  their  paftor  at  defiance  with  the  great- 
eil  infolence  and  contempt. 

Thus  Mr.  Edwards's  hands  were  weakened ;  and  we 
•tre  told,  that  he  afterwards  had  but  little  fuccefs  in  his 
mini/fry  ;  but,  on  the  contrary,  that  fecurity  and  carnali- 
ty much  increafed  among  his  people,  and  the  youth  in 
particular  became  more  wanton  and  diflblute. 

All  this  paved  the  way  for  iomsthing  more.  It  had 
been  a  Handing  opinion  among  this,  people  for  fome  time, 
countenanced  alfo  by  their  late  paflor,  "  That  uncon- 
verted perfons,"  known  to  be  fuch  by  the  nngodlirefs 
of  their  lives,  or  their  ignorance  of  divine- truth,  "  n^d 
notwithstanding  a  right  in  the  fight  of  God  to  the  Sacra- 
ment of  the  Lord's  fupptr;  and  that,  therefore,  it  was 
their  dutv  to  partake  of  it.  even  though  they  had  no  ap- 
pearance of  the  grace  and  holinefs,  which  the  gofpel 
ibtes  to  be  infeparable  from  true  believers.  It  \  as  fuf- 
ficient  if  they  were  outward  and  vifible  members  ;  io  that 
they,  who  really  rejected  Jefus  iJhrift,  and  didikea 
.the  gofpel- way  of  falvation  in  thtr  hearts,  and  kn  wr 
-hat  this  was  true  of  themselves,    might    (inconceivable 


E-     I>    W     A     R     D     3.  4^> 

as  it  appears)    make  the   profeifion    without   lying  and 
hypocrify." 

To  the  common  inconveniences  always  attending  a 
national  church,  where' it  is impoifible  to  examine  every 
man's  profelhon,  or  to  keep  him  from  disgracing  it,  here 
is- an  addition  becoming  the  dileip'ies  of  Ignatius  of  Loyola 
by  which  men  may  be  hypocrites  without  the  guilt  of  hy- 
pocrify, and  lyars  without  the  imputation  of  iin.  A 
convenient  fort  of  principle  indeed  to  men  cf  a  certain 
cafl ;  but  by  no  mean*  to  thofe,  who  are  never  to  forget, 
that  '  Fornication  and  all  uncleannefs,  tilthineis,  or  fool- 

*  i:h  talking,   mould  not    be  even  named  amongft  them, 

*  as  becometh  faints.'     [See  Eph.  v.  3 — 7- J     • 

Mr.  Edwards  had  Ion g  been  uneafy  upon  the  preva- 
lence of  this  principle,  (one  of  the  moil  ftrange  that  ever 
any  church  of  Chrift  avowed)  and  upon  his  own  yield- 
ing to  the  example  qf  his  predeceilbr  and  to  a  practice 
fettled  before  he  car  thiiher.  His  doubts  and  untafi- 
nefs,  as  might  be  exrected  from  fo  good  a  man,  increaf- 
ed  upon  him,  and  drove  him  at  length  to  a  thorough  in- 
vestigation q£  the  fubjecl ;  the  refult  of  which  -was  a  clear 
conviction  of  the  error,  and  a  firm  determination  to  ex- 
pole  it.  He  was  convinced,  that  "  To  be  avijibk  Chrif- 
tian  was  to  put  on  the  appearance  of  a  real  one;  that  the 
profeffion  of  chriftianity  was  a  profeilion  of  that,  in  which 
real  chriitianity  confifts  ;"  and  that,  therefore,  as  the 
Lord's  fupper.  was  intendeufor  realChriitians,  noneoughs 
to  come  to  it,  who  were  not  at  leaft  profeflprs  of  real 
chraianity,.  and  to  whom  no  imputation  of  allowed  ungod- 
liuefs  could  juilly  be  made. 

The  declaration  of  his  mind  upon  this  head,  among 
fuch  a  kind  of  men,  raifed  an  immediate  clamour,  and 
put  the  town  into  as  great  a  ferment  as  the  preaching  of 
an  holy  apoftle  had  long  before  occasioned  at  Ephefus. 
They  were  all  in  an  uproar  :  and  *  Difmifs  him,  difmifs 
4  him/  was  the  liniverfal  cry  of  men,  women,  and  elders. 

He 


4*45  EDWARDS. 

He  had  touched  a  favourite  fin,  and  a  favourite  principle 
which  protected  it  :  and  (what  was  a  very  great  truth, 
though  not  in  their  fenfe  of  it)  he  was  no  longer  fit  to 
be  their  paftor.  He  attempted  to  reafon  with  them 
calmly  \  but  it  was  oppofmg  his  breath  to  the  winds,  the 
general  cry  was  to  have  him  difmifled. 

Mr.  Edwards,  when  they  would  not  hear  him,  wilhed 
to  refer  the  matter  to  fome  neighbouring  minifters  ;  but 
this  being  rejected,  he  attempted  to  difcufs  the  matter  in 
a  courfe  of  lectures,  which  he  began'  for  the  purpofe ; 
but  although  numbers  came  from  the  adjoining  parts, 
very  few  of  his  own  congregation  would  attend.  So  in- 
toxicating is  the  nature  of  human  prejudice,  when  once 
indulged,  that  men  will  rather  renounce  their  reafon 
than    refume  their  temper. 

Mr.  Edwards,  finding  all  methods  ineffectual  to  re- 
strain the  torrent  of  virulence,  (lander,  and  falfhood  rol- 
ling upon  him,  at  length  yielded  to  the  artifice  of  thefe 
men  in  packing  a  council,  compofed  chiefly  of  their  own 
friends ;  thefe,  after  fome  unavailing  attempts  for  a 
reconciliation,  paffed  a  refolve,  by  the  majority  of  one 
voice  only,  to  this  effect.  That  it  was  expedient  that 
the  paftoral  relation  between  Mr.  Edwards  and  his  church 
mould  be  difTolved,  if  they  perfifted  in  requiring  it.  This 
being  reported  to  the  people,  they  immediately  voted  his 
difmiilion  by  a  majority  of  two  hundred  againft  twenty r 
and  he  w as  accordingly  difmified  June  22,  1750. 

Thus  had  thefe  people  the  infamy  of  endeavouring  to 
ruin  the'  moft  able  and  celebrated  divine,  who  hath  as  yet 
been  born  in  America.  But  they  knew  not  their  own 
mercies.  1  he  few  abhorrers  of  this  atrocious  act  entered 
an  unavailing  proteft  againft  it.  The  good  man,  mock- 
ed rather  for  his  enemies  than  for  himfelf,  preached  a  moft 
folemn  and  affecting  farewell  difcourfe,  which  was  after- 
wards published,  021  2  Cor.  i.  4.  on  which  he  raifed  this 
doctrine,  "  That  m'mifters,  and  the  people  who  have  been 

under 


E    D     W     A    R     I)     3. 

Wilder  their  tare,  mull  meet  one  another  at  the  tribunal 
of  ChriiV  The  malice  of  his  enemies  did  not  ftop  here  , 
fur  when  at  times  there  was  no  preacher  to  i'upply  the 
pulpit,  he  cheerfully  gave  them  his  fervice,  rather  thart 
it  mould  he  empty,.  This  kindnefs,  which  would  have 
conciliated  more  ingenuous  minds,  only  mcrealcd  the 
unhappy  flame  kindled  in  theirs,  inlbmuch  that  they  cal- 
led the  town  together  and  voted  that  he  flrauld  pr< 
among  them  no  more.  And  fo  they  frequently  wer/ 
without  preaching,  rather  then  have  the  fi'ee  miniifrati- 
ons  of  a  man,  of  whom  the  world  itfclf 'was  mi  worihy.— 
But  thefe  are  bleiTmgs  of  an  abiclnte  democracy  i 

Thus  ended  his  fervice  of  near  four-and-twenty-yea-. 
to  an  undifcerning  and  ungrateful  people,  -who  had  bet  i 
much  upon  his  heart,  and  for  whom  he  had  always  ex 
prefled  a  very  tender  concern.  "  For  their  good  he  was 
always  writing,  contriving,  and -labouring;  for  them  he 
had  poured  out  ten  thoufand  fervent  prayers  •  and  hi 
their  welfare  he  had  rejoiced  as  one  that  findeth  great 
ipoih"  Yet  all  their  deteftable  conduct  did  not  alter  the 
frame  of  his  mind.  "  He  was  calm,  fedate,  and  humble 
under  the  mod  injurious  treatment-  his  relblution  and 
conduct  in  the  whole  affair  were  wonderful,  and  cannot 
be  fet  in  fo  beautiful  and  affecting  a  light  by  any  defcri  ra- 
tion, as  they  appeared  in  to  his  friends  who  were  e  m - 
witneffes."  J 

This  incomparable  man  was  how  in  the  decline  of  lift -, 
with  little  or  no  income  befides  bis  ftiperd  ■  >and  this 
throws  the  grcateft  light  upon  his  faithfulnefs' and  fined* 
rity  :  nor  had  he  any  view  of  fupport  from  another  ap- 
pointment ;  for  he  knew  not  how  far  the  malice  of  ifs 
people  might  extend,  to  prevent  it,  ofehe  prejudice  of  his 
Uiimiliion  operate  againft  him-elfewhefe  :  neither  was  he 
capable  (alas,  what  pity  he  ihould  be  driven  to  think  of 
it!)  to  take  up  any  other  bufmefs  for  a  fupport.  Thud 
poverty  and  difgrace  were  before  him.  But  he  kne^ 
N  n  l  -  that 


4*6  EDWARD     S. 

that  he  had  a  good  mafter.  He  had  divine  comfort  in 
his  foal ;  and  in  a  fliort  time  providence  provided  for 
both  him  and  his  family. 

Amamed  of  this  unparalleled  bafenefs  to  fo  excellent  a 
man,  his  friends,  or  rather  the  friends  of  godlinefs,  ad- 
miniitered  to  his  relief:  and  he  was  foon  after  appoint- 
ed to  the  million  at  Stockbridge ;  hut  not  before  fome^ 
ibme  orher  infolent  and  bitter  attempts  had  been  made 
to  ruin  his  reputation,  as  well  as  to  deprive  him  of 
bread. 

Jt  may  not  be  improper  here  to  add,  that  one  of  the 
ringleaders  in  this  iniquitous  bufmefs  was  fo  ftung  with 
his  conduct  towards  Mr.  Edwards,  that  he  afterwards 
made  a  public  confeilion  of  his  guilt,  in  a  letter  to  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Hall,  of  Sutton,  which  letter,  after  having  enu- 
merated the  particulars  of  his  oppofition  to  that  good 
man,  concludes  thus,  il  In  thefe  inftances,  Sir,  of  my 
conduct,  and  others  (to  which  you  was  not  privy)  in 
thecourfe  of  that  moft  melancholy  contention  with  Mr. 
Edwards,  wherein  I  now  fee  that  I  was  very  much  in- 
fluenced by  vaft  pride,  felf-fufficiency,  ambition,  and 
vanity,  I  appear  to  myfelf  vile  ;  and  doubtlefs  much  more 
fo  to  others  who  are  more  impartial  ;  and  do,  in  the  re- 
view thereof,  abhor  myfelf,  and  repent  forely  :  and  if 
my  own  heart  condemns  me,  it  behoves  me  folemnly  to 
remember,  that  God  is  greater,  and  knoweth  all  things ; 
and  I  hereby  own,  Sir,  that  fuch  treatment  of  Mr.  Ed- 
wards, as  is  herein  before  mentioned,  wherein  I  was  fo 
deeply  concerned  and  active,  was  particularly  and  very 
aggisvatedly  linfu'i  and  ungrateful  in  me,  becaufe  I  was 
not  only  under  the  common  obligations  of  each  individual 
of  the  ibciety  to  him,  as  a  molt  able,  diligent,  and  faith- 
ful paftor  ;  but  I  had  alfo  received  many  inftances  of  his 
tcndemefs,  goodnefs,  and  generofity  to  me,  as  a  young 
kinfman,  whom  he  was  difpofecl  to  treat  in  a  moft  friend- 
ly manner.  Indeed,  Sir,  I  muft  own,  that  by  my  con- 
duel 


E     D     W     A    R     D     6.  427 

duct  in  confulting  and  a&ing  againft  Mr.  Edwards,  with- 
in the  time  of  our  molt  unhappy  difputes  with  him,  and 
efpecially  in  and  about  that  abominable  remonftrance,  I 
have  fo  far  fymbolh'.ed  with  Balaam,  Ahithophel,  and  Ju- 
das, that  I  am  confounded  and  filled  with  terror  often- 
times when  I  attend  to  the  moft  painful  (imiiitude.  And 
1  freely  confefs,  that  en  account  of  my  conduct  above 
mentioned,  I  have  the  gteateft  reafon  to  tremble  at  thole 
moft  folemn  and  awful  words  of  our  Saviour,  Matt, 
xviii.  6.  and  thofe  in  Luke  xih,  at  the  16th  :  And  I  am 
moft  forely  fenfible  that  nothing  but  that  infinite  grace 
and  mercv,  which  laved  fome  of  the  betrayers  and  mur- 
derers of  our  blelled  Lord  and  the  perfecutcrs  of  his 
martyrs,  can  pardon  me  :  in  which  alone  I  hope  for  par- 
don, for  the  fake  of  Chrift,  wbofe  blood  (biefled  be  God) 
deanfeth  from  all  fin." 

Mr.  Edwards,  who  was  able  to  fame  in  the  feats  of 
learning,  and  fome  time  hence  was  called  to  prefide  over 
one,  was  now  delegated  to  the  infcruclion  of  favage  In- 
dians at  Stockbridge.  This  place  is  in  the  weftem  part 
of  Maffachufetts  Bay,  and  about  fix  miles  from  Mr. 
Edwards's  former  refidence  at  Northampton.  He  was 
fixed  here  on  the  8th  of  Auguft,  1751  ;  and  here  he 
continued  his  labours,  in  more  peace  and  quietnefs  than  he 
had  ever  known  before,  for  fix  years.  In  this  interval, 
though  much  in  years,  he  made  greater  attainments  in 
knowledge,  and  wrote  more  for  the  church  of  God,  than 
he  had  ever  been  able  to  do,  within  the  fame  fpace  of  time, 
during  the  former  part  of  his  life.  In  this  retirement, 
he  cempofed  his  deepeft  and  moft  valuable  works  ;  fo 
that  when,  in  his  own  judgment,  as  well  as  that  of  others, 
his  ufefulnefs  feemed  to  be  cut  off,  he  found  greater  op- 
portunities of  fervice  than  ever.'  A  pleafing  calm,  after 
fo  grievous  a  ftorm,  to  his  troubled  mind! 

On  the  death  of  Mr.  Aaron  Burr,  prefident  of  New- 
College,  which  was  on  the  2/. :h  of  September,  i757>the 

truftees 


428  E     D      W*    A     R     D     S. 

tfnftees  of  that  feminary  unfolicited  chofe  Mr.  Edwards 
to  fucceed  him  :  but  our  excellent  author  was  with  dif- 
ficulty prevailed  upon  to  accept  it  ;  modeftly  alledging 
his  own  infufficicHcyj  ill  health,  and  difufe  to  that  kind  of 
life.  At  length,  upon  the  arguments  and  periuafions  of 
his  brethren  in  the  miniftry,  he  accepted  of  this  presiden- 
cy, and  went  from  Stockbridge  to  Prince-Town  in  Janu- 
ary, i  758.  But  the  end  of  his  labours  was  approaching  ; 
he  had  only  preached  two  or  three  fermons,  and  had  not 
entered  fully  upon  the  duties  of  his  new  office,  when  he 
was  called  to  glory.  The  fmall  pox,  which  has  always 
been  unufually  fatal  in  America,  had  infected  Prince 
Town,  which  induced  thephyfician  of  the  place  to  advife 
him  to  be  inoculated,  with  theconfent  of  the  corporation. 
Accordingly  he  was  inoculated  on  the  13th  of  February, 
and  his  diibrder  at  nrft  feemed  to  be  favourable ;  but  a 
fever  coming  on,  and  the  pufiules  laying  much  in  his 
throat,  no  proper  medicines  could  be  adminifiered,  and 
therefore  the  violence  of  it  raged,  till  it  put  an  end  to 
his  ufeful  life,  on  the  22d  of  March,  175B,  in  the  fifty- 
fifth  year  of  his  age* 

When  he  was  ienfible  that  death  was  approaching,  he 
called  his  daughter  (who  was  the  only  part  of  his  family 
which  had  yet  removed  with  him,)  and  addreiTed  her  in 
the  following  words  :  *  Dear  Lucy,  it  feems  to  me  to  be 

*  the  will  of  God,  that  I  muft  fhortly  leave  you  :  there- 

*  fore,  give  my  kindeft  love  to  my  dear  wife,  and  tell  her,. 
•'  that  the  uncommon  union,  which  has  fo  long  fubfifted 
*■  between  us,  has  been  of  fuch  a  nature,  as  I  truft  is  fpi- 

4  ritual,   and  therefore  will  continue   for  ever.      I  hope 

-  me  will  be  fupported  under  fo  great  a  trial,  and  fubmit 

6  cheerfully  to  the  will  of  God.     And  as.  to  my  children, 

4  you  are  now  like  t©  be  left  fatheriefs,  which  I  hope  will 

*  be  an  inducement  to  you  all  to  feek  a  father,  who  will 

*  never  fail  you.'  He  defired  that  his  funeral  might  not 
be  attended  with  parade  (as  is  ufual  in  America,)  .but  ra* 

ther 


E    D     W     A    R    O     S.  429 

ther  fomething  be  given  to  the  poar.  He  could  fay  but 
little  in  his  ficknefs,  owing  to  the  nature  and  feat  of  his 
diforder  ;  but  juil  at  the  lr.it,  when  furrounded  by  friends 
lamenting  their  own  lofs  and  that  of  the  church  and  col- 
lege, he  laid,  to  their  great  furprize,  as  they  did  not  ima- 
gine he  heard  them  or  was  able  to  fpeak,  '  Trull  in 
God,  and  ye  need  not  fear^?  and  then,  almoft  literally, 
fell  afleep  in  Jefus. 

We  are  perfuaded  our  readers  will  be  abundantly  gra- 
tified with  the  account  of  our  author's  experience  as  writ- 
ten by  himfelf ;  and  therefore  fliall  make  no  apology  for 
fubioining  a  great  part  of  it. 

In  this  narrative  we  find  our  great  and  celebrated  di- 
vine relating  the  manner  of  God's  dealings  with  his  foul, 
in  a  ftile  that  breathes  all  the  humility  and  fimplicity  of 
a  little  child.  «'  It  is  peculiarly  fweet  to  obferve,"  fays 
an  evangelical  writer,  **  that  in  matters  of  fpiritual  con- 
cern, the  philofopher  and  the  ploughman,  if  truly  rege- 
nerated, have  the  fame  feelings,  and  fpeak  the  fame 
language  :  they  all  i  eat  of  the  fame  fpiritual.  meat,  and 
drink  of  the  fame  fpiritual  rock,  which  follows  them, 
and  that  rock  is  ChrinV  Hence  that  fimilitude  of  expe- 
rience or  (to  fpeak  figuratively)  that  ftrong  and  {hiking 
family likenefs,  which  obtains  among  the  converted  people 
■of  God,  in  every  period  of  time,  and  in  every  nation  un- 
der heaven.  They  all  without  exception  frel  themfelves 
totally  ruined  by  original  fin ;  they  all  without  exception 
take  refuge  in  the  righteoufnefs  and  crofs  of  Chrift;  and 
unite  in  afcribing  the  whole  praife  of  their  falvatkm  to 
the  alone  free  grace  and  fovereign  mercy  of  Father,  Son, 
and  Spirit. " 

"  I  had,"  fays  Mr.  Edwards,  "  a  variety  of  concerns 
and  exerciies  about  my  foul  from  my  childhood  ;  but  had 
two  more  remarkable  feafons  of  awakening,  before  I 
met  with  that  change  by  which  I  was  brought  to  thofe 
new  difpofuions,  and  that  new   fenfe  of  things,  that  I 

have 


43^  EDWARD     $ 

have  fince  had.  The  firft  time  was  when  I  was  a  bc^- 
iome  years  before  I  went  to  college,  at  a  time  of  remark- 
able awakening  in  my  father's  congregation.  1  was  thea 
very  much  affected  for  many  months,  and.  concerned 
about  the  things  of  religion,  and  my  foul's  falvation  j  and 
was  abundant  in  duties.  I  ufed  to  pray  five  times  a  day 
in  fecret,  and  to  fpend  much  time  in  religious  talk  with 
ether  boys  ;  and  ufed  to  meet  with  them  to  pray  together. 
I  experienced  I  know  not  what  kind  of  delight  in  religi- 
on j  my  mind  was  much  engaged  in  it,  and  had  much 
felf-righteous  pleafuxe  ;  and  it  was  my  delight  to  abound 
in  religious  duties.  I,  with  fome  of  my  ichool-mates, 
joined  together  and  built  a  booth  in  a  fwamp,  in  a  very 
iecret  and  retired  place,  for  a  place  of  prayer.  And,  be- 
fides,  1  had  particular  fecret  places  of  my  own  in  the 
woods,  where  T  ufed  to  retire  by  myfelf,  and  ufed  to 
be,  from  time  to  time,  much  a/ected.  3My  affections 
feeined  to  be  lively  and  eafily  moved,  and  I  feemed  to  be 
in  my  element,  when  1  engageain  religious  duties  :  and 
I  am  ready  to  think,  many  are  deceived  with  fuch  affec- 
tions, and  Juch  a  kind  of  deKgUt,  as  I  then  had  in  religion 
and  miitake  it  for  grace. 

c(  But  in  procefs  of  time,  my  convictions  and  -affections 
wore  off,  and  I  entirely  loft  all  thofe  affections  and  de- 
lights, and  left  off  fecret  prayer,  at  leaf:  as  to  any  con- 
flant  performance  of  it  :  and  returned  like  a  dog.  to -.his 
vomit,  and  went  on  in  ways  of  iin. 

"  Indeed  I  was  at  {bine  times  very  uneafy,  efpecially 
towards  the  latter  pa$t  of  the  time  of  my  being  at  -college. 
Till  it  pleaied  God,  in  my  laft  year  at  college,  at  a  time 
\\  hen  I  was  in  the  midit  of  many  uneafy  thoughts  about 
the  flate  of.  my  foul,  to  feize  me  with  a  pleurify  ;  in 
which  he  brought  me  nigh  to  the  grave,  and  ihcok  me 
over  the  pit  of  hell. 

«<  But  yet,  it  was  not  long  after  my  reepvery,  before 
I  fell  again  into  my  old   ways  of  iin.     But    God   would 

net 


EDWARD     S. 


43 * 


not  fuffer  me  to  go  on  with  any  quietncfs.  My  concern 
now  wrought  more  by  inward  itruggles  and  conflicts, 
and  felf-reiiections  :  I  made  feeking  my  falvation  the 
main  btiftheft  of  my  life;  but  yet  it  feems  to  me,  I 
fought  after  a  miferable  manner  ;  which  has  made  me 
fometimes  fince  to  quellion,  whether  ever  it  ifiued  in 
that  which  was  Caving  ;  being  ready  to  doubt,  whether 
fuch  miferable  feeking  was  ever  fucceeded.  But  yet  I 
was  brought  to  feek  falvation  in  a  manner  that  I  never 
was  before;  I  felt  a  fpirit  to  part  with  all  things  in  the 
world  for  an  intereit  in  Chriit.  My  concern  continued  - 
and  prevailed,  with  many  exercifmg  thoughts  and  in- 
ward druggies  ;  but  yet  it  never  feemed  to  be  proper  to 
exprels  the  concern  that  I  had,  by  the  name  of  terror. 
"  From  my  childhood  up,  my  mind  had  been  wont 
to  be  full  of  objection l  againft  the  doctrine  of  God's  fove- 
reignty, ih  choofing  v  horn  he  would  to  eternal  life,  and 
rejecting  whom  he  pleafed  ;  leaving  them  eternally  to 
perim.  It  ufed  to  appear  like  a  horrible  doctrine  to  me; 
but  I  remember  the  time  very  well,  when  I  feemed  to 
be  convinced,  and  fully  fatisfied,  as  to  the  fovereignty  of 
God,  and  his  juftice  in  thus  eternally  difpoling  of  men 
according  to  his  fovereign  pleafure  ;  but  never  could  give 
an  account  how,  or  by  what  means,  I  was  thus  convin- 
ced ;  not  in  the  leaft  imagining,  in  the  time  of  it,  nor  a 
lung  time  after,  that  there  was  an  extraordinary  influ- 
ence of  God's  Spirit  in  it ;  but  only  that  now  I  law  far- 
ther, and  my  reafon  apprehended  the  juftice  and  reafon- 
ablenefs  of  it.  But  I  have  oftentimes,  lince  that  firfl 
conviction,  had  quite  another  kind  of  fenfe  of  God's 
fovereignty  than  I  had  then.  I  have  often  fince,  not 
only  had  a  conviction,  but  a  delightful  conviction.  The 
doctrine  of  God's  fovereignty  is  a  fweet  doctrine  to  me; 
and  abfolute  fovereignty  is  what  I  love  toafcribeto  God. 
JBut  my  firit  conviction  was  not  with  this." 

■u  1  he  firft  that  I  remember   that  ever  I  found  any 

thing 


43* 


EDWARD     S. 


thing  of  that  fort  of  inward  fweet  delight  in  God  and  di- 
vine things,  that  I  have  lived  much  in  fince,  was  on  rea- 
ding thofe  words,  [i  Tim.  i.  17.]  'Now  unto  the 
*  king  eternal,  immortal,  invifible,  the  only  wife  God, 
'  be  honour  and  glory  for  ever  and  ever,  Amen.'  As  I 
read  the  words,  there  came  into  my  foul,  and  was  as  it 
were  difFufed  through  it,  a  fenfe  of  the  glory  of  the  Di- 
vine Being  ;  quite  different  from  any 
I  ever  experienced  before.  Never  any  words  of  fcrip- 
ture  feemed  to  me  as  thefe  words  did.  I  thought  with 
myfelf,  how  excellent  a  Being  that  was,  and  how  happy 
I  mould  be,  if  I  might  enjoy  that  God,  and  be  wrapt  up 
to  God  in  heaven,  and  be  as  it  were  fwallowed  up  in  him. 
I  kept  faying,  and  as  it  were  (inging  over  thefe  words 
of  fcripture  to  myfelf ;  and  went  to  prayer,  to  pray  to 
God  that  I  might  enjoy  him  ;  and  prayed  in  a 
manner  quite  different  from  what  I  ufed  to  do ;  with  a 
new  fort  of  affeclion  ;  but  it  never  came  into  my  thought 
that  there  was  any  thing  fpiritual  or  of  a  laving  nature 
in  this. 

"  From  about  that  time,  I  began  to  have  a  new  kind 
of  apprehenlions  and  ideas  of  Chritt,  and  the  work  of  re- 
demption, and  the  glorious  way  of  falvation  by  him.  I 
had  an  inward  fweet  fenfe  of  thefe  things,  that  at  times 
came  into  my  heart,  and  my  foul  was  led  away  in  pleai 
fant  views  and  contemplations  of  them  ;  and  my  mind  was 
greatly  engaged  tofpend  my  time  in  reading  and  medita- 
ting on  Chrift,  and  the  beauty  and  excellency  of  his  perfon 
and  the  lovely  way  of  falvation  by  free  grace  in  him.  I 
found  no  books  fo  delightful  to  me,  as  thofe  that  treated 
of  thefe  fubje£ts.  Thofe  words,  [Cant.  ii.  1.]  ufed 
to  be  abundantly  with  me,  c  I  am  the  rofc  of  Sharon, 
'  and  the  lily  of  the  vallies.'  The  words  feemed  to  me 
fweetly  to  reprefent  the  lovelinefs  and  beauty  of  Jefus 
Chriit.  And  the  whole  book  of  Canticles  ufed  to  be 
pleafant  to  me,  and  I  ufed  to  be  much  in-reading  it  about 

that 


. 


EDWARD     S.  433 

that  time  ;  and  found,  from  lime  to  time,  an  inward 
fweetnefs  that  ufed,  as  it  were,  to  carry  me  away  in  my 
contemplations.  The  fenfel  had  of  divine  things,  would 
often  of  a  fuddeu,  as  it  were,  kindle  up  a  fweet  burning 
in  my  heart,  an  ardour  of  my  foul,  that  I  know  not  how 
to  exprelV. 

"  After  this  my  fenle  of  divine    things   gradually   in- 
creafed,   and  became  more  and  more  lively,  and  had  more 
of  that  inward  fweetnefs.    The  appearance  of  every  thing 
was  altered  ;  there    feemed    to  be,   as  it   were,    a  calm, 
fweet  caft,  or  appearance  of  divine  glory,  in  alnioft  every 
thing.      God's  excellency,   his    wifdom,   his   purity   and 
love,  feemed  to  appear  in  every  thing ;  in  the  fun,  moon, 
and  ftars  ;  in  the    clouds,  and    blue  iky  ;  in    the  grafs, 
flowers,  trees  ;  in  the  water,  and  all  nature  ;  which  ufed 
greatly  to  fix  my  mind  and  fcarce    any  thing,  among   all 
the  works  of  nature,  was  fo  fweet  to  me  as  thunder  and 
lightning  ;  formerly,  nothing  had  been  fo  terrible  to  me. 
I  ufed  to  be  a  perfon  uncommonly  terrified  with  thunder, 
and  it  ufed  to  ttrike   me  with  terror  when  I   faw  a  thun- 
der-ftorm  riling  :  but  now,  on  the  contrary,   it  rejoiced 
me.     I  felt  God  at  the  firit  appearance  of  athunder-fiorm, 
and   ufed   to  take  the  opportunity,  at   fuch  times,  to  fix 
myfelf  to  view    the  clouds,  and  fee  the   lightnings  play,. 
iind  hear  the  majeiiic  and  awful  voice   of  God's  thunder, 
which  oftentimes  was    exceedingly  entertaining,  leading 
me  to  fweet   contemplations   of    my  great   and    glorious 
God. 

"  I  felt  then  a  great  fatisfaction  as  to  my  good  eilate  : 
but  that  did  not  content  me.  I  had  vehement  longings 
of  foul  after  God  and  Chrift,  and  after  more  holinefs, 
wherewith  my  heart  feemed  to  be  full,  and  ready  to 
break ;  which  often  brought  to  my  mind  the  words  of 
the  Pfalmift,  [Pfa.  cxix.  28.]  '  My  foul  breaketh  for  the 
*  longing  it  hath.'  I  often  felt  a  mourning  and  lament- 
ing in  my  heart,  that  I  had  not  turned  to  Gcd  fooner, 
O  o  than 


4j4  E     D     WARDS. 

that  I  might  have  had  more  time  to  grow  in  grace.  My 
mind  was  greatly  fixed  on  divine  things  ;  1  was  almoin 
perpetually  in  the  contemplation  of  them  :  fpent  moft-of 
my  time  in  thinking  of  divine  things,  year  after  year  g 
and  ufed  to  fpend  abundance  of  my  time  in  walking  alone 
in  the  woods  and  folitary  places  for  meditation,  foliloquy, 
and  prayer,  and  converie  with  God  :  and  it  was  always 
ray  manner,  at  fuch  times,  to  fing  forth  my  contempla- 
tions ;  and  was  almoft  conftantly  in  ejaculatory  prayer 
wherever  I  was.  Prayer  feemed  to  be  natural  to  me, 
as  the  breath  by  which  the  inward  burnings  of  my  heart 
had  vent. 

u  The  delights  which  I  now  felt  in  things  of  religion 
were  of  an  exceeding  different  kind  from  thofe  fore-men- 
tioned, that  I  had  when  I  was  a  boy  ;  they  were  totally 
of  another  kind  •  and  what  I  then  had  no  more  notion 
or  idea  of,  than  one  born  blind  has  of  pleafant  and  beau- 
tiful colours  :  they  were  of  a  more  inward,  pure,  foul- 
animating  and  refrefhing  nature.  Thofe  former  delights 
never  reached  the  heart  ;  and  did  not  ari'fe  from  any 
light  of  the  divine  excellency  of  the  things  of  God  :  or  any 
taite  of  the  foul-iatisfying,  and  life-giving  good,  there  is 
in  them." 

"  My  fenfe  of  divine  things  feemed  gradually  to  in- 
crease, till  I  went  to  preach  at  New  York,  which  was 
about  a  year  and  a  half  after  they  began.  While  I  was 
there,  I  felt  them,  very  fenfibly,  in  a  much  higher  de- 
gree than  I  had  done  before  :  my  longings  after  GOD 
and  holinefs  were  much  inereafed  ;  pure  and  humble, holy 
and  heavenly  chriftianity,  appeared  exceeding  amiable  to 
me.  I  felt  in  me  a  burning  defire  to  be  in  every  thing  a 
complete  Chriftian  ;  and  conformed  to  the  blefled  image 
ofChrift;  and  that  1  might  live  in  all  things  according 
to  the  pure,  fweet,  and  blelTed  rules  of  the  gofpel.  1 
fought  an  increafe  of  grace  and  holinefs,  and  that  I  might 
»ive  an  holy  life,  with  vaftly  more  earnefhiefs  than  ever 
'  I  fougjhs 


EDWARDS  435, 

ught  grace,  before  I  had  it.  My  experience  had  not- 
then  taught  me,  as  it  has  done  fince,  my  extreme  feeble - 
nefs  and  impotence,  every  manner  of  way  ;  and  the  in- 
numerable and  bottomlefs  depths  of  fecret  corruption  and  • 
deceit  that  there  were  in  my  heart.  However,  I  went 
on  with  my  eao-er  purfuit  after  more  holinefs,  and  fweet- 
conformity  to  Chrift. 

'*  The  heaven  I  defired  was  a  heaven  of  holinefs  ;  to 
be  with  God,  and  to  fpend  my  eternity  in  divine  love, 
and  holy  communion  with  Chrift.  My  mind  was  very 
much  taken  up  with  contemplations  on  heaven,  and  the 
enjoyments  of  tliDfe  there  ;  and  living  there  in  perfect  ho- 
linefs, humility,  and  love.  And  it  ufed  at  that  time  to 
appear  a  greac  part  of  the  happinefs  of  heaven,  that 
there  the  faints  could  exprefs  their  love  to  Chrift.  It 
appeared  to  me  a  great  clog  and  hindrance,  and  burden 
to  me  that  what  I  felt  within,  I  could  not  exprefs  to 
God,  and  give  vent  to,  as  I  defired  ;  the  inward  ardour 
of  my  foul  feemed  to  be  hindered  and  pent  up,  and  could 
not  freely  flame  out  as  it  would.  I  ufed  often  to  think 
how  in  heaven  this  fweet  principle  mould  freely  and  ful- 
ly vent  and  exprefs  itfelf.  Heaven  appeared  to  be  ex- 
ceeding delightful  as  a  world  of  love.  It  appeared  to  me 
that  all  happinefs  confided  in  living  in  pure,  humble, 
heavenly,  divine  love. 

u  I  remember  the  thoughts  I  ufed  then  to  have  of  ho- 
linefs. I  remember  I  then  laid  fometimes  to  myfelf,  I 
do  certainly  know  that  I  love  holinefs,  fuch  as  the  gofpel 
prescribes  ;  it  appeared  to  me,  there  was  nothing  in  it 
but  what  was  ravifhlngly  lovely  :  it  appeared  to  me  to  be 
the  higheft  beauty  and  amiablenefs,  above  all  other  beau- 
ties, that  it  was  a  divine  beauty,  far  purer  than  any 
thing  here  upon  earth ;  and  that  every  thing  elfe  was 
like  mire,  filth,  and  defilement,  in  companion  of  it. 

"  There  was  no  part  of  creature-holinefs  that  I  then, 
and  at  other  times,  had  fo  great  a  fcrSs  oi  the  lovelinefs 

of, 


436  EDWARDS. 

of,  as  humility,  brokennefs  of  heart,  and  poverty  of  fpi- 
rit ;  and  there   was  nothing  that  I  had  fuch  a  fpirit  to 

long  for.  My  heart,  as  it  were,  panted  after  this,  to 
lie  low  before  God,  and  in  the  duft,  that  I  might  be  no- 
thing, and  that  God  might  be  all ;  that  I  might  become, 
as  a  little  child. 

(l  While  I  was  there,  at  New  York,  I  fometim'es  was 
much  affected  with  reflections  on  my  paft  life,  confider- 
ing  how  late  it  was  before  I  began  to  be  truly  religious, 
and  how  wickedly  I  have  lived  till  then  ;  and  once  fo,  as 
to  weep  abundantly,  and  for  a  coniiderable  time  toge- 
ther. 

"  On  January  12,  1722-3,  1  made  a  fclemn  dedica- 
tion of  myfelf  to  God  ;  and  wrote  it  down  ;  giving  up 
myfelf  and  ail  that  I  had  to  God;  to  be  for  the  future  in 
no  refpect  my  own  :  to  act  as  one  that  had  no  right  to^ 
himfelf  in  any  refpecl ;  and  folemnly  vowed  to  take  God 
for  my  whole  portion  and  felicity  ;  looking  on  nothing 
elfe  as  any  part  of  my  happmefs,  nOracYmgas  if  it  were  ; 
and  his  law  for  the  conftant  rule  of  my  obedience,  en- 
gaging to  fight  with  all  my  might  againft  the  world,  the 
flefh,  and  the  devil,  to  the  end  of  my  life.  But  have 
reafcn  to  be  infinitely  humbled,  when  I  confider  how  I 
have  failed  of  anfwering  my  obligation. 

"  I  had  then  abundance  of  fweet  religious  converfation 
in  the  family  where  I  lived,  with  Mr.  John  Smith,  and 
his  pious  mother.  My  heart  was  knit  in  affection  to  thole 
in  whom  were  appearances  of  true  piety  ;  and  I  could 
bear -the  thoughts  of  no  other  companions,  but  fuch  as 
were  holy,  and  the  difciples  of  the  bleiled  Jefus. 

iC  I  had  great  longings  for  the  advancement  ofChrifVs 
kingdom  in  the  world  ;  my  fecret  prayer  ufed  to  be  in 
great  part  taken  up  in  praying  for  it.  If  I  heard  the 
leaft  hint  of  any  thing  that  happened  in  any  part  of  the 
world,  that  appeared  to-me,  in  fome  refpect  or  other,  to 
have  a  favourable  afpecT  on  the  ihtereft  ef  ChrifVs  king- 
dom. 


£    D     W     A    II     D 

dom,  my  foul  eagerly  catched  at  it,  and  it  w 
animate  and    refrefti  me.     I  nfed  to   be  earneft  to  read 
public  news  letters,  mainly  for  that  end,  to  ice  if]  could 
not  Hud  fome  news  favourable  to  the  intereit  of  religion 
in  the  world. 

(i  1  had  then,  and  at  other  t'r.ues,  the  greatcft  delight 
in  the  holy  fcripttfres  of  any  book  w-hiatToyrer  ;  oftentimes 
in  reading  it,  every  word  feemed  to  touch  nry  heart.  I 
felt  a  harmony  between  foinething  in  nry  heart,  and  thofe 
fwect  and  powerful  words :  I  feemed  often  to  iee  io 
much  light  exhibited  by  every  fentence,  and  fuch  a  re- 
frelhing  food  communicated,  that  I  coold  not  gee  along 
in  reacting  :  ufed  oftentimes  to  dwell  long  on  one  len- 
ience, to  fee  the  wonders  contained  in  it  ;  and  yet  almoft 
every  fentence  feemed  to  be  full  of  wonders. 

"I  came  away  from- New  York  in  the  month  o£ 
April  172^,  and  had  a  moft  bitter  parting  with  Madam* 
Smith  and  her  fon  :  my  heart  feemed  to  link  within  me, 
at  leaving  the  family  and  city,  where  1  had  enjoyed'  fo 
many  fweet  and  pleafant  days.  It  W3S  fweet  to  me  to 
think  of  meeting  dear  Chriltians  in  heavenf,  where  we 
fhonld  ne«?er  part  more.  At  Say  brook  went  afhere  to 
lodge  on  Saturday,  and  there  kept  Sabbath;  where  1 
had  a  fweet  and  refreshing  feafbn,  walking  alone  in  the 
fields. 

After  I  went  to  New  Haven  I-  funk  in  religion,  my? 
mind  being  diverted  from  my  eager  and  violent  pur- 
fnits  afrer  holinefs,  by  fome  affairs  that  greatly  perplex- 
ed- and  diiira-ited  my  mind. 

"  In  September  172^.,  was  taken  ill  at  New  Haven, 
and  endeavouring  to  go  home  to  Windfor, -was  fo  ill  ai. 
the  North  Village,  that  I  could  go  no  further  ;  where  L 
lay  Pick  for  about  a  quarter  of  a  year.  And,  in  this  lick- 
nefs,  God  was  pleafed  to  .vifit  me  again  with  the  fv/e?: 
influences  of  his  Spirit-  My  mind  was  greatly  en <xgged 
thereon  divine,  pleuiant  contemnlations,  and  lon<nft" 
■   O  0    Z  d 


438  EDWARDS. 

of  foul.  I  obferved,  that  thofe  who  watched  with  me 
would  often  be  looking  out  for  the  morning,  and  feemed 
to  vvifh  for  it;  which  brought  to  my  mind  thofe  words 
of  the  Pfalmift,  which  my  foul  with  fweetnefs  made  its 
own  language,  i  My  foul  waiteth  for  the  Lord,  more 
(  than  they  that  watch  for  the  morning;,  1  fay,  more  than 
'  they  that  watch  for  the  morning."  And  when  the 
light  of  the  morning  came,  and  the  beams  of  the  fun  came 
in  at  the  windows,  it  refreshed  my  foul  from  one  morn- 
ing to  another  :  it  feemed  to  me  to  be  fome  image  of  the 
fweet  light  of  God's  glory. 

"  I  have  loved  the  doctrines  of  the  gofpel  ;  they  have 
been  to  my  foul  like  green  paftures  :  the  gofpel  has  feem- 
ed to  me  to  be  the  richeil  treafure  ;  the  treafure  that  I 
have  moll  defired,  and  longed  that  it  might  dwell  richly 
in  me.  The  way  of  falvation  by  Chrift  has  appeared  in 
a  general  way,  glorious  and  excellent,  and  moil  pleafant 
and  mcii  beautiful. 

"  I  have  fometimes  had  a  fenfe  of  the  excellent  ful- 
nefs  of  Chriil,  and  his  meetnefs  and  fuitablenefs  as  a 
Saviour,  whereby  he  has  appeared  to  me,  far  above  all, 
the  chief  of  ten  thoufands  :  and  his  blood  and  atonement 
has  appeared  fweet,  and  his  righteoufnefs  fweet;  which 
is  always  accompanied  with  an  ardency  of  fpirit,  and  in- 
ward ftrugglings,  and  breathings,  and  groanings,  thar 
cannot  be  uttered,  to  be  emptied  of  myfelf,  and  f wal- 
lowed up  in  Chriil. 

"  I  have  many  times  had  a  fenfe  of  the  glory  of  the 
third  perfon  in  the  Trinity,  in  lis  ofiice  of  Sanctiiier,  in 
iiis  holy  operations  communicating  divine  light  and  life 
to  the  foul. 

"  I  have  greatly  longed  of  late  for  .a  broken  heart, 
and  to  lie  low  before  God.  And  when  I  aik  for  humility 
of  God,  I  can't  bear  the  thoughts  of  being  no  more  hum- 
ble than  other  chriftians.  It  feems  to  me,  that  though 
their  degrees  of  humility  may  be  fuitable  for   them,  yet 


439 

it  would  be  a  vile  felf-exaltation  in  me,  not  to  be  the 
lovveft  in  humility  of  all  mankind. 

"  1  have  vaftly  a  greater  fenfe  of  my  univerfal  exceed- 
ing dependence  on  God's  grace  and  ftrength,  and  mere 
good  pleafure,  of  late,  than  I  ufed  formerly  to  have  ; 
and  have  experienced  more  of  an  abhorrence  of  my  own 
righteoufnefs. 

On  one  Saturday  night  had  fuch  a  {en{"e  how  fweet 
and  bleffed  a  thing  it  was,  to  walk  in  the  way  of  duty 
that  it  caufed  rne  to  cry  out,  *  How  happy  are  they 
i  which  do  that  which  is  right  in  the  fight  of  God!  They 
'  are  hlefled  indeed,  they  are  the  happy  ones!' 

Thus  clofesthe  extraordinary  experience  of  our  Au- 
thor, and  by  way  of  caution  to  (incere  but  inferior 
Chriuians,  we  beg  it  be  confidered  that  it  was  extraor- 
dinary  ;  that  few  Chriitians  have  arrived  to  equal  attain- 
ments in  the  divine  life,  particularly  as  to  a  fettled  ac- 
qu'efcence  in  the  divine  will,  and  a  devotednefs  of  heart 
to  the  Redeemer.  So  free,  fofovereign,  fo  multiform 
and  incomprehensible,  are  the  operations  of  divine  grace  ; 
but  this  remark  is  not  intended  to  induce  any  to  reft  fatis- 
fied  in  their  present  attainments.  It  is  not  only  the  duty 
bat  one  cf  the  belt  marks  of  a  true  Christian,  •  to  go  on 
'  unto  perfection. '      lieb.  vi.  i. 


(     44°-     ) 


£J$ff«*£5== _ _- ^-ifTJ 


3  A  M.  U  EL    D  A  V  I  E  S, 


PRESIDENT  of  'the  COLLEGE,  in  Nsv/  Jersey. 


fTT^HE  "reycrend  Mr-  Samuel  Davies,  late  president  of 
JL  the  college  of  New  Jerfey,  was  born  on  the  3d 
of  November,  A.  D.  1724,  in  the  county  of  Newcaftle 
on  Delaware.  His  father  was  a  planter,  who  lived  with 
great  plainnefs  and  fimplicity,  and  fupported  the  charac- 
ter of  an  honeft  and  pious  man  to  his  death.  His  mo- 
ther, who  was  greatly  diiiinguiihed  for  her  eminent  piety, 
tome  time  before  the  conception  of  this  only  fon,  earneft- 
ly  defired  fuch  ablefiing;  and  as  (he  then  had  one  daugh- 
ter, who  was  near  five  years  old,  (he  had  occafion  for 
the  exercife  of  her  faith,  in  waiting  for  the  anfwerto  her 
petition.  In  this  iituation,  me  took  example  from  the 
mother  of  the  prophet  Samuel,  and  Vowed  a  vow  unto  the 
Lord;  *  that  if  he  would  Indeed  give  her  a  man-child,  fie 
"Muld  devote  him  to  hisfervice  all  the  days  of  his  life.'' 

It 


D     A     VIES.  441 

It  may  well  be  fuppbfed  thr.t  the  parents  received  this 
child  as  from  COD3  and  that  the  mother  efpecially,  who 
had  reafon  to  look  upon  him  as  a  token  of  the  divine 
favour,  and  anexprefs  anfsver  to  her  prayers,  would,  with 
the  greater!  tendernefsj  begin  the  rearing  of  this  beloved 
plant.  As  there  was  no  fchool  in  the  neighbourhood, 
rfelf  taught  him  to  read  :  And  al  though  he  was  then 
very  young,  he  is  faid  to  have  made  fuch  proficiency  as 
furpr'rfed  every  perfoh  who  heard  it.  He  continued  at 
heme  with  his  parents  till  he  was  about  ten  years  old  ; 
during  which  time  he  appeared  to  have  no  remarkable 
hrtpreiiions  of  a  religiou.s  kind;  but  behaving  hunfelf  as1 
is  common  for- a  fprightl.y  child,  under  the  influence  of 
pious  example  and  imimctioa.  He  was  then  fent  to  art 
Eh'gliih  fchool,  at  fome  diftance  from  his  father's,  where 
he  continued  t\vo  years,  and  made  great  progrefs  in  his 
learning;  but,  for  want  of  the  pious  inftrucubri  with 
which  he  was  favoured  at  home,  he  grew  fomewha't  more 
carelefs  of  the  things  of  religion.  It  appears,  that  about 
tins  time  of  life,  carelefs  as  he  was,  he  made  a  practice  of 
fecret  prayer,  efpecially  in  the  evening.  The  reafons 
(as.  he  tells  it  in  his  Diary)  why  he  was  fo  punctual  in 
the  evening  was,  that  "  he  feared  left  he  fhquld  perhaps 
die  before  morning."  What  is  farther  obfervable  in  his 
prayers  at  this  time  is,  that  *'  he  was  more  ardent  in  his 
{'applications  for  being  introduced  into  the  gofpel  Minis- 
try, than  for  any  other  thing- " 

'  About  the  twelfth  year  of  his  age  (fays  Dr.  Finley) 
the  GOD,  to  whom  he  was  dedicated  by  his  Word  and 
Spirit,  awakened  him  to  folemn  thoughtfulnefs,  and  anxi- 
ous concern  about  his  eternal  Itate.  He  then  faw  fufn- 
cient  reafon  to  dread  all  the  direful  effects  of  divine  dii- 
pleafure  agaihft  fin.  And  fo  deeply  imprinted  was  the 
rational  fenfe  of  his  danger,  as  to  make  him  habitually  un- 
eafy  and  reftlefs,  until  he  might  obtain  fatisfying  fcrip- 
tural  evidence  of  his  totereft  in    the   forgiving  love  of 

°     GOD 


44a  D     A     V     I     E     S. 

GOD,  While  thus  exerclfed  he  clearly  faw  the  abfolute 
neceffity,  and  certain  reality,  of  the  gofpel  plan  of  falva- 
tion,  and  what  abundant  and  fuitable  provifion  it  makes 
for  all  the  wants  of  a  (inner.  No  other  folid  ground  of 
hope,  or  unfailing  fource  of  comfort,  could  he  find  befide 
the  merits  and  righteoafnefs  of  him,  whom  GOD  fet  forth 
io  be  a  propitiation  fir  fin,  through  faith  in  his  blood.  Rom. 
in-  25.  On  this  righteoufnefs  he  was  enabled  confidently 
to  dec  end  ;  by  this  blood  his  confcience  was  purged  from 
guilt;  arid  beReving  he  rejoiced  wkh  joy  unfpeakahle  and 
full  of  glory.  1  Pet.  i.  8.  Yet  he  was  afterwards  exer- 
cifed  with  many  perplexing  doubts  for  a  long  feafon  ;  but 
at  length,  after  years  of  impartial  repeated  feif-examina- 
tion,  he  attained  to  a  fettled  confidence  of  his  intereft  in 
redeeming  grace,  which  he  retained  to  the  end.  A  Di- 
ary, which  he  kept  in  the  firil  years  of  his  religious  life,  - 
and  continued  to  keep  as  long  as  his  leifure  would  per- 
mit, clearly  lhews  how  intenfely  his  mind  was  fet  on 
heavenly  things ;  how  obfervant  he  was  of  the  temper 
of  his  heart  ;  and  bow  watchful  over  ail  his  thoughts^ 
words,  and  actions.  Did  any  cenfure  his  foibles,  or  ju- 
venile indifcretions?  They  would  have  done  it  compaf- 
fxnatcly,  '  had  they  known  how  feverely  he  cenfnred 
them  himfelf.  The  tribunal  daily  erected  in  his  own  bo- 
,fom  was  more  critical  in  fcrutinizing,  and  more  impartial 
and  fevere  in  palling  fentence,  than  either  his  friends  or 
enemies  could  be-  His  love  to  GOD,  and  tender  con- 
cern for  pcrifning  tinners,  excited  his  eager  detire  of  being 
in  a  fituarion  to  ferve  mankind  to  the  befl  advantage. 
With  this  view  he  engaged  in  the  piiriuit  of  learning,  in 
which,  anidft  many  obvious  inconveniences,  he  made 
farpriiing  progrefs,  and,  fooner  than  could  have  been 
expecled,  wasfound  competently  qualified  for  the  minilte- 
rial  office.  He  p.niled  the  ufaal  previous  trials  with  un- 
common approbation  ;  having  exceeded  the  railed  expec- 
tations of  his  moil  intimate  friends  and  admirers. 

<  When 


D     A     V     I     E     S. 


443 


c  When  he  was  licenfed  to  preach  the  gofpel,  he  zea- 
Ioufly  declared  the  counfel  of  GOD,  the  truth  and  impor- 
tance of  which  he  knew  by  happy  experience  ;  and  did  it 
in  fuch  a  manner,  as  excited  the  earned  defires  of  every 
vacant  congregation,  where  he  was  known,  to  obtain  the 
happinefs  of  his  dated  miniftration.  But,  far  from  gra- 
tifying his  natural  inclination  to  the  fociety  of  his  friends, 
or  coniulting  his  eafe,  moved  by  confeience  of  duty,  he 
undertook  the  charge  of  a  dilTenting  congregation  in 
Virginia,  ieparated  from  all  his  brethren,  and  expofed  to 
the  cenTure  and  refentment  of  many.  But  the  more  he 
was  known  in  thofe  parts,  the  more  were  prejudices  re- 
moved ;  contempt  was  gradually  turned  into  reverence  ; 
the  number  of  his  enemies  daily  diminished,  and  his  friends 
increafed.  Nor  did  he  there  labour  in  vain,  or  fpendhis 
ilrength  for  nought.  The  Lord,  who  counted  him  fairh- 
nil,  putt;ng  him  into  the  miniuxy,  iucceeded  his  en- 
deavours, ib  that  a  great  number,  both  of  whites  and 
blacks,  were  hopefully  converted  to  the  living  GOD  : 
For  the  proof  of  this,  I  muft  refer  to  his  own  narrative 
•fent  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bellamy,  and  by  him  published,  and 
to  his  letters  to  fome  gentlemen  of  the  fociety  in  London 
for  the  propagation  of  religion  among  the  poor.  As  to 
his  natural  genius,  it  was  ftrong  and  mafculine.  Kis  un- 
derilandmg  was  clear  ;  his  memory  retentive  ;  his  inven- 
tion quick-;  his  imagination  lively  and  florid  ;  his  thoughts 
iublime  ;  and  his  language  elegant,  itrong,  and  expref- 
five.  And  I  cannot  but  prefume  that  true  and  candid 
critics  will  readily  difcern  a  great  degree  of  true  poetic 
fire,  flyle,  and  imagery  in  his  poetic  compofitions;  and 
will  grant  that  he  was  capable  to  have  ihone  in  that  way, 
had  his  leifure  permitted  the  due  cultivation  of  his  natu- 
ral talent.  His  appearance  in  company  was  manly  and 
graceful;  his  behaviour  genteel,  not  ceremonious ;  grave, 
yet  pleafant;  folid,  but  fprightly  too.     In  a  word,  he 

was 


444  D     A     V     I     E     S. 

was  an  open,  converfable,  and   entertaining   companion, 
a  polite  gentleman,  and  devout  cbrjftian,  at  once. 

i  It  may  here  be  proper!}  obferved,  that  he  was  chof- 
en  by  the  iynod  of  New-York,  at  the  inftance  of  the  truf- 
tees  of  New- Jerfey  College,  as  a  fit  perfon  to  accompa- 
ny the  Rev.  Mr.  Gilbert  Tennent  to  Great-Britain  and 
Ireland,  in  order  to  fclicit  benefactions  for  the  faid  col- 
lege. As  this  manifested  the  high  opinion  which  both  the 
iyncd  and  corporation  entertained  of  his  popular  talents 
and  abilities ;  fo  his  ready  compliance  to  undertake  that 
fervice,  hazardous  and  difficult  in  itfeif,  and  precarious  in 
its  confequencesj  which  required  him  to  overlook  his  do- 
medic  connections,  however  tender  and  endearing,  man- 
ifefted  his  refolution  and  felf-denial.  How  well  he  was 
qualified  as  a  folicitor,  is  witneiTed  by  the  numerous  and 
large  benefactions  he  received.  His  fervices,  as  was 
meet,  were  gratefully  accepted  by  his  ccnitituents ;  and 
to  the  pious,  generous,  and  public-fpirited  charity  of  the 
friends  of  religion  and  learning  in  Great-Britain,  received 
on  that  occafion,  does  the  college  of  New-Jerfey,  in  a 
great  degree,  owe  all  its  late  fiouriHiing  condition.' 

It  may  perhaps  not  be  amifs  to  mention  that  when  he 
returned  home  from  his  voyage  to  Great  Britain,  he  en- 
tered again  on  his  beloved  taik  of  preaching  the  gofpel 
to  his  teveral  congregations  ;  and  he  continued  in  this 
work  till  the  year  1759,  when  he  was  elected  preiident 
of  the  college  of  New- Jerfey,  in  the  room  of  the  late 
reverend  Mr.  Jonathan  Edwards-  The  college,  before 
he  came,  had  been  in  an  unhappy  fituation  ;  partly  owing 
to  the  length  of  that  melancholy  period  between  the  death 
of  prefident  Burr,  and  his  acceilion,  and  partly  to  the  evil 
difpoiitions  and  practices  of  a  few  members  of  the  focie- 
ty.  Prefident  Burr  died  in  September  1757:  And  al- 
though Mr.  Edwards  was  elected  a  few  days  after,  be  did 
not  take  upon  himfelf  (as  was  obferved  in  his  life)  the 
government    of  the   college    till   February,    i7r3;    and 

of 


D     A     V     I     E     S.  445 

about  a  fortnight  after  took  the  fmall-pox,  of  which  he 
died  in  March  following*  Mr.  Davics  was  not  initiated 
into  his  office  till  the  latter  end  of  July,  1759-  ^o  tnnc 
the  college  lay  under  t4ie  obvious  difadvantages  of  a  be- 
reaved condition  for  almoft  two  years.  But  the  prudent 
meafures  taken  by  Prefident  Davies  foon  furmounted 
theie  difadvantages ;  ib  that  in  a  few  months  a  fpirit  of 
emulation  111  learning  and  morality,  as  had  been  ufual, 
evidently  characterized  the  ftudents  of  Nail au-H all. 

While  he  continued  Prefident  his  labours  were  great,' 
and  his  application  to  ftudy  was  necelfarily  more  intenfe 
than  that  of  his  predeceilors.     For  he  came  to  this  femi- 
nary  of  learning,  when  its  knowledge,  by  the    eminent 
abilities  of  Prefident  Burr,  was  advanced  to  a  very  con- 
iiderable  degree;  and  he  had  juft  emerged  from  great 
minifterial   labour  in   various  places,  wherein  a  common 
genius  would  have  been  able  to  have  made  but  little  im- 
provement in  academical  learning.     Befides,  the  fpeedy 
paffage  he  made  through  the  courfe  of  his  ftudies,  previous 
to  his  entering    into  the  miniftry,  made    his  fubfequent 
application  the  more  neceffary  for  fo  important  a  fituation. 
He  would  not  degrade  his  office,  but  w?ifhed  to  be  in  re- 
ality what  his  itation  fuppofed  him,  and  accordingly  ex- 
erted himfelf  to  the  utmoft.    The  labours  of  the  day  feem- 
ed  to  him  rather  an  incentive  to  ftudy    than  to  reft  in 
the  night ;  for  he  commonly  fat  up  till   twelve    o'clock, 
and  often  later,  though  he  rofe  by  break  of  day.       The 
fuccefs  was  proportionable  ;  for  by  the  efforts  of  his  ge- 
nius, and  by  his  induftry,  he  left  the  college  of  New- Jer- 
fey  at  his  death  in  as  high  a  ftate  of  literary  merit,  as  it 
ever  had  been  in,  fince  its  firft  inflitution.     There  is  rea- 
fon  to  believe,  that  the  intenfe    application  with    which 
Mr.  Davies  attended  to  the  duties  of  his  office  was  one 
great  caufe  of  his    death.     The   habit  of  his   body  was 
plethoric:  And   it  is  not  to    be    doubted  but-  that    his 
health  for  fome  years  had  very  much  depended   upon  the 
P  p  exercife 


_44^  DAVIE     S. 

exercife  of  riding,,  to  which  he  was  necemmly  obliged 
while  he  lived  in  Virginia,  though  even  then  he  had 
feveral  fevere  fevers,  fuppofed  to  arife  principally  from  his 
application  to  ftudy  in  the  intervals  of  riding.  When  at  the 
college  he  fcarcely  ufed  any  bodily,  exercife,  fave  what 
was  required  in  going  from  his  own  houfe  to  Naflau- 
Hall,  which  is  a  fpace  about  ten  rods,  live  or  fix  times  a 
day.  In  the  latter  end  of  January,  A.  D.  1762,  a  vio- 
lent cold  feized  him,  and,  for  his  relief,  he  was  bled. 
The  fame  day  he  transcribed  for  the  briefs  the  fermon, 
which  was  foon  after  publiihed,  on  the  death  of  the  late 
king,  and  the  day  after  preached  twice  in  the  college-hall ; 
by  all  which  the  arm,  in  which  he  was  bled,  became 
much  inflamed,  and  increafed  his  former  indifpofnion. 
On  the  Monday  morning  afterwards  at  break  fait,  he  was 
feized  with  a  cold  fit,  which  was  fucceeded  by  an  inflam- 
matory  fever,  that  in  ten  days  brought  on  the  period  of 
his  life.  Although  premonitions  of  death  in  the  pre- 
_  fetit  ftate  of  the  world  are  feldom,  if  ever,  given  to  man- 
kind ;  and  they  who  are  difpofed  to  interpret  ordinary 
occurrences  into  fuch  premonitions,  when,  by  fome thing 
iirnilar  in  the  event  thole  occurrences  would  ,fcem  as  if 
-predictive,  generally  difcover  their  weaknefs ;  yet  the 
circumftances  of  the  death  of  an  eminent  perfon  are  com- 
monly very  acceptable  to  the  public,  and  for  this  reafoii 
it  may  not  ,amifs  to  mention  an  anecdote,  which  Mr.  Da- 
vies  more  than  once  took  notice  of  in  his  lait  (icknefs. 

An  intimate  friend  of  his,  a  few  days  before  the  begin- 
ning of  the  year  in  which  he  died,  in  conversation  told 
him  that  a  fermon  would  be  expected  from  him  on  the 
New  Year's  day  ;  and,  among  other  things,  happened  to 
mention  that  the  late  Prefideht  Burr,  on  the  nril  day  of 
the  year  wherein  he  died,  preached  a  fermon  on  Jer- 
xxviii.  16.  Thus  faith  the  Lord,  This  year  thou  Jhait  die  ; 
and  after  his  death,  the  people  took  occafion  to  fay  it  was 
.premonitory;  upon  which   Mr.    Davies    obferved,  that 

"  although 


D     A     V     I     E     S.  447 

"'  although  it  ought  not  to  be  viewed  in  that  light,  yet  it: 
was  very  remarkable."  When  New  Year's  Day  came  he 
preached  ;  and  the  congregrtion  were  not  a  little  furprif- 
eJ  at  his  taking  the  fame  text  of  fcripture.  Upon  his  be* 
inn:  taken  with  his  i ait  iicknefs  about  three  weeks  after, 
he  loon  adverted  to  this  circumstance,  and  mentioned  i:  as 
remarkable,  that  he  had  been  undesignedly  led  to  preach, 
as  it  were,  his  own  funeral  ferrrion.  It  is  much  to  be  la- 
mented that  the  violence  of  the  diforder,  of  which  this 
excellent  man  died,  deprived  him  of  the  regular  exercife: 
ef  his  reaibn  the  greater  part  of  the  time  of  his  fuknefs  ; 
otherwife  the  public  might  have  been  edified  by  his  re- 
marks on  the  views  of  an  approaching  e.crnity,  and  r»ight 
have  received  another  evidence  of  the  excellency  and 
power  of  that  religion,  which  can  fupport  the  foul,  and 
make  the,  otherwife  gloomy,  profpett  of  death  eafy  and 
chearful.  But  even  in  this  delirium  his  mind  difcovered 
the  favourite  objects  of  its  concern 3  the  profperity  ct - 
Chrht's  church,  and  the  good  of  mankind.  His  bewilder- 
ed brain  was  continually  imagining,  and  his  faultering 
tongue  expreiling,  fome  expedient  for  thefe  important 
purpofes. 

Mr.  Davies  had  been   fettled  at  Prince-Town  about 
eighteen  months  ;  and  as  he  could  cxercife  his  miniftry  as 
well  as  prdideover  the  college,  great  things  might  have 
been  expected  from  that  rare  and  remarkable  union  there 
was  in  hiiri  of  what  was  great  and  good*      But,  alas!   in 
the  midft  of  his  days,   (little  more  than  thirty-fix    years 
of  age)  he  was  called  away,  from  this  opening  fcene   of 
extraordinary  ufefulnefs,  to  the  invifible  world,  the  world 
of  glory  and  bleifednefs.     •'  As  evidences  of  the  admira- 
ble fpirit  that  dwelt  in  him,  let  me   add    (fays  Dr.  Gib- 
bons) a  few  paragraphs  from  the  many  letters  with  which 
m  the  courfe  of  about  nine  years  correfpondence,  he  has 
favoured  me.      Speaking  in  one  of  his  letters-  concerning 
his  children,  Ho  fays;  "  I  am  folic.tous  for    them,  when- 

I 


44*  D     A     V     I     E     S. 

I  confider  what  a  contagious  world  they  have  entered  in- 
to, and  the  innate  infection  of  their  natures.  There  is 
nothing  that  can  wound  a  parent's  heai  t  fo  deep,  as  the 
thought  that  he  fhould  bring  up  children  to  diihonour 
his  GOD  here,  and  be  miferable  hereafter.  I  beg  your 
prayers  for  mine,  and  you  may  expect  a  retaliation  in  the 
fame  kind."  In  another  letter  he  fays,  "We  have  now 
three  fons  and  two  daughters  •  whcfe  young  minds  as 
they  open,  I  am  endeavoring  to  cultivate  with  my  own 
hand,  unwilling  to  truil  them  to  a  Granger;  and  I  find 
the  buimefs  of  education:  much  more  difficult  than  I  ex- 
pected  My  dear  little  creatures  fob  and  drop  a  tear  now 

and  then  under  my  initructions,  but  I  am  not  fo  happy  as 
to  lee  them  under  deep  and  lading  impreflionsof  religion  ; 
and  this  is  the  greater!  grief  they  afford  me.  Grace  can- 
not be  communicated  by  natural  defcent  ;  and,  if  it  could, 
they  would  receive  but  little  from  me.  I  earneitly  beg 
your  prayers  for  them."  Another  epiftle  tells  me,  "  As 
for  myfelf,  I  am  juft  driving  not  to  live  in  vain.  I  en- 
tered the  minifiry  with  fuch  a  feni'e  of  my  unritnefs  for  it, 
that  I  had  no  fanguine  expectations  of  fuccefs.  And  a 
condefcending  GOD  (O,  how  condefcending!)  has  made 
me  much  more  ferviceable  than  I  could  hope.  But,  alas  ! 
my  brother,  I  have  but  little  true  religion.  My  advance- 
ments in  holinefs  are  extremely  fmall  :  1  feel  what  I  con- 
fefs,  and  am  fure  it  is  true,  and  not  the  rant  of  exceffive 
or  affected  humility.  It  is  an  eafy  thing,  to  make  a  noife 
in  the  world,  to  ilouriih  and  harangue,  to  dazzle  the  crowd, 
and  fet  them  all  agape,  but  deeply  to  imbibe  the  fpirit  of 
chriftianity,  to  maintain  a  fecret  walk  with  GOD,  to  be 
holy  as  he  is  holy,  this  is  the  labour,  this  is  the  work.  I 
beg  the  alliitan,ce  of  your  prayers  in  fo  grand  and  impor- 
tant an  enterprize — The  difficulty  of  the  minifterial  work 
"  feems  to  grow  upon  my  hands.  Perhaps  once  in  three 
or  four  months  I  preach  in  fome  meafure  as  I  could  wiih  ; 
that  is,  I  preach  as.  in  the  fight  of  GOD,  and  as  if  I  were 

to 


D     A     V     I     E     S.  4V, 

to  ftep  from  the  pulpit  to  the  fupreme  tribunal.  I  feci 
my  fubject.  I  melt  into  tears,  or  I  (buckler  with  hor- 
ror, when  I  denounce  the  terrors  of  the  Lord,  I  glow, 
I  foar  in  facred  extaiies,  when  the  love  of  Jefus  is  my 
theme,  and,  as  Mr.  Baxter  was  wont  to  expreFs?  it,  in 
lines  more  linking  to  me  than  all  the  tine  poetry  in  ch»- 
world, 

*  I  preach,  as  if  I  ne'er  fhould  preach  agun  ; 
J  And,  as  a  dying  man,  to  dying  men.' 

I  mall  conclude  my  extracts  (continues  Dr.  Gibbons)' 
from  his  epiitolary  correfpondence  with  part  of  a  letter 
dated  Kanover,  September  n,   1757. 
"  My  ever  dear  friend, 

u  I  am  juit  beginning  to  creep  back  from  the  valley  of 
the  lhadow  of  death,  to  which  I  made  a  very  near  ap- 
proach a  few  days  agc>-  I  was  i'eized  with  a  moil  violent 
fever,  which  came  to  a  crifis  in  a  week,  and  now  it  is 
much  abated,  though  I  am  Hill  confined  to  my  chamber- 
In  this  mattered  ftate  my  trembling  hand  can  write  but: 
little  to  you,  and  what  I  write  will  be  languid  and  con- 
futed, like  its  author.  But  as  the  Virginia  fleet  is  about; 
to  fail,  and  I  kno\v  not  when  I  iliall  have  another  op- 
portunity, I  cannot  avoid  writing  fomething.  I  would 
lit  down  on  the  grave's  mouth,  and  talk  awhile  with  my 
favourite  friend';  and  from  my  iituation  you  may  foriee 
what  fubjects  my  converfation  will  turn  upon — Death — ■ 
Eternity — the  fupreme  tribunal.  BleiTed  be  my  Mailer's 
name,  this  diforder  found  me  employed  in  his  fervice.  It 
feized  me  in  the  pulpit,  like  a  foldier  wounded  in  the 
field.  This  has  been  a  bufy  fummer  with  me.  In  about 
two  months'  I  rode  about  five  hundred  miles,  and  preach- 
ed about  forty  fermons.  This  affords  me  feme  pleafure 
in  the  review.  But,  alas !  the  mixture  of  fin  and  of  many 
namelefs  imperfections,  that  run  through  a::U  corrupt  ail 
F  p  1  fiiy 


450  D     A     V     I      E     S. 

my  fervices,  give  me  fhame,  forrow,  and  mortification. 
My  fever  made  unufual  ravages  upon  my  underftanding, 
and  rendered  me  frequently  delirious,  and  always  ft  lipid - 
But,  when  I  had  any  little  fenfe  of  things,  I  generally 
felt  pretty  calm  and  ierene_,  and  death,  that  mighty  terror 
was  difarmed.  Indeed  the  thought  of  leaving  my  dear 
family  dcftitute,  and  my  flock  fhepherdlefs,  made  me  of- 
ten itart  back  and  cling  to  life;,  but  in  other  refpecb 
death  appeared  a  kind  of  indifFerency  to  me.  Formerly 
I  have  wifhed  to  live  longer  that  I  might  be  better  pre- 
pared for  heaven,  but  this  confuleration  had  but  very  lit- 
tle weight  with  me,  and  that  for  a  very  unufual  reafon, 
which  was  this.  After  long  trial,  I  found  this  world  is  a 
place  (o  unfriendly  to  the  growth  of  every  thing  divine 
and  heavenly,  that  I  was  afraid,  if  I  ihould  live  longer, 
I  ihould  be  no  better  fitted  for  heaven  than  I  am.  In- 
deed I  have  hardly  any  hopes  of  ever  making  any  great 
attainments  in  holinefs  while  in  this  world,  though  I 
ihould  be  doomed  to  ftayin  it  as  long  as  Methufelah.  I 
fee  other  chriftians  indeed  around  me  make  fome  pro- 
grefs,  though  they  go  on  with  but  a  fnail-like  motion  r 
But  when  I  confider  tha&I  (ez  out  about  twelve  years  old,, 
and  what  fanguine  hopes  I  then  had  of  my  future  pro- 
grefs,  and  yet  that  I  have  been  almoft  at  a  ftand  ever 
fmce,  T  am  quite  difcouraged — O  my  good  Mafter,  if  I 
may  dare  to  call  thee  fo,  I  am  afraid  I  mall  never  ferve 
thee  much  better  on  this  ikle  the  region  of  perfection. 
The  thought  grieves  me  :  It  breaks  my  heart,  but  I  can 
hardly  hope  better.  But  if  I  have  the  leaft  fpark  of  true 
piety  in  my  bread:,  I  mall  not  always  labour  under  this 
complaint.  No,  my  Lord,  I  mall  yet  ferve  thee — ferve 
thee  through  an  immortal  duration — with  the  activity, 
the  fervour,  the  perfection  of  the  rapt  feraph  that  adores 
and  burns.  I  very  much  fufpect  this  defponding  view  of 
the  matter  is  wrong,  and  I  do  not  mention  it  with  ap- 
probation, but  only  relate  i:  as  an  unufual  reafon  for  my 

willingnefs 


D     A     V     1     E     S.  45  £ 

wiHingnefs.fo  die,  which  I  never  felt  before,  and  which  I 
could  not  fupprefs. 

"  In  my  tickne{'.>  I  found  the  unfpeakable  importance 
of  a  Mediator  in  a  religion  for  finners.  O  !  I  could  have 
given  you  the  word  of  a  dying  man  for  it,  that  that  Je- 
i"us  whom  you  preach  is  indeed  a  neceffary,  and  an  all- 
fufHcient  Saviour.  Indeed  he  is  the  only  fupport  for  a 
departing  foul.  None  but  Chrilf ,  none  but  Chriit.  Had 
I  as  many  good  works  as  Abraham  or  Paul,  I  would  not 
have  dared  to  build  my  hopes  upon  fuch  a  quickfand,  but 
only  on  this  firm  eternal  rock.  I  am  riling  up,  my  bro- 
ther, with  a  deli  re  to  recommend  him  better  tomyfellov- 
iinncrs,  than  I  have  done.  But,  alas  !  I  hardly  hope  to 
accompli lh  it.  Kc  has  done  a  great  deal  more  by  me 
already  than  ever  I  expected,  and  infinitely  more  than  I 
defer ved.  But  he  never  intended  me  for  great  things. 
He  has  beings  both  of  my  own  and  of  luperior  orders 
that  can  perform  him  more  worthy  fervice.  O  !  if  I 
might  but  untie  the  latchet  of  his  fhoes,  or  draw  water 
for  the  fervice  of  his  fanctuary,  it    is  enough  for  me.     I 

am  no  angel,  nor  would  I  murmur  becaufe  I  am  not 

My  ftrength   fails  me,  and  I  muft    give  over— pray   for 
me — write  to  me — love  me  living   and   dying,  on  earth 
and  in  heaven — and  hope  the  fame  from, 
u  dear  Sir, 
."  Your  heart-united  friend  and-fervant." 


E    452   1 


C  O  N  C  L  US   I  O  N, 


S'  the  hiftory  of  'particular  perfons  always  throws ; 
light  upon  the  age  in  which  they  lhed;  it  is  pre- 
sumed, that  the  preceeding  Memoirs  alfo,  which  relate 
to  eminent  men  in  the  church  of  Chrift,  from  the  sera  of 
the  reformation  (and  a  great  number  more  might  have 
been  produced,  if  our  limits  had  allowed)  not  only  difeov- 
er  their  own  character,  but  the  characters  of  the  feveral 
times  in  which  they  appeared.  •  Ponibly,  therefore,  thefe 
accounts,  will  be  not  only  edifying  to  the  faith,  but  in- 
fcruciive  to  the  mind,  of  our  ferious  readers,  and  of  thofe 
younger  perfons  efpecially,  who  wiJh  to"  be  acquainted 
with  our  ecclcfiaftkal  hifiory. 

The  intelligent  Chriitian  may  perceive,  that  we  have 
ftudioufly  avoided  any  undue  predilections  to  any  particu- 
lar party  or  profefiion  ;  knowing,  that  the  grace  of  God 
is  confined  to  no  party,  and  entailed  upon  no  one  profef- 
iion of  Chriftianity  in  the  world.  Thefe  Memoirs,  if 
they  prove  any  thing,  abundantly  prove  this  truth.  And 
though  the  compiler  mud  naturally  have  his  predilections 
and  paffions,  or  he  w7ould  not  be  a  fallen  fon  of  fallen  A- 
dam ;  yet  he  can  truly  fay,  that  he  has  watched  over 

theft 


CONCLUSION.  453 

thefe  infirmities  of  human  nature,  and  has  been  above 
all  things  detirous,  that  the  glory  of  God  may  be  feen  to 
triumph  over  the  tfarrownefs  vA'  men,  and  that  the  grace 
of  God  in  his  molt  excellent  lervants,  may  alio  appear  to 
be  one  and  the  fame  bleifmg;  notwithstanding  the  preju- 
dices of  birth  and  education  ;  which  do  indeed  ifrike  the 
mind  with  much  Wronger  iinpreilions,  than  perhaps  any 
of  us  are  readily  apt  to  imagine. 

In  reviewing  the  work,  our  readers  may  probable  per- 
ceive, that  fome  of  the  following  confideracions  prefent 
themiclves  to  the  mind,  and  that  they  are  juitified  by  ma- 
ny particular  circumiiances  in  thefe  Lives ; 

The  reformation  of  the  Proteitant  church  from  po- 
pery proceeded  chiefly  upon^  what  are  juitly  enough  call- 
ed, The  Doctrines  of  Grace,  in  oppoiition  to  a  variety  of 
corrupt  opinions,  and  to  a  greater  variety  of  antifcriptur- 
al  fuperftitions  which  had  been  grounded  upon  them. 
Thole  doctrines  were  not  mvdi'us  (as  fome  of  the  Papiits 
affected  to  treat  them)  becaufe  they  were  not  only  as  an- 
cient as  divine  revelation  itfelf,  but  were  alio  maintained 
more  or  lefs  in  all  ages  of  the  chr-uiian  churcli ;  though, 
for  fome  centuries  before  the  reformation,  but  by  com- 
paratively a  few  fcattered  ptrfons,  who  ihone  as  itars  a- 
midil  the  gloom  of  darknefs  which  generally  pervaded 
Europe. 

The  mofr  confiderable  body  of  people  profelTing  fcrip- 
ttiral  and  unfophiilicated  divinity,  were  the  Albigenfes  in 
the  fouth  of  France,  and  the  Waldenfes  in  Piedmont. 
The  later  name,  however,  became  the  general  one,  up- 
on the  great  fpread  of  their  do-itrine,  which  was  one  and 
the  fame,  after  the  junction  of  the  pious  Peter  Waldo  or 
Valdo,  about  the  ye^r  1170,  from  whom  this  appella- 
tion was  taken..  From  thefe  real  chriitians,  living  for 
the  molt  part  in  mountainous  and  almoft  inacceilible'  plac- 
es becaufe  of  their  enemies,  was  derived  the  primary 
irootofall  the  fubfequent  reformations.     Their  origin  is 

carried 


454 

carried  up  very  high  into  the  pureft  ages  of  the  church. 
It  is  certain  that  a  Romiih  council  at  Tours  in  1 163  con- 
demned them  as  maintainers  of  an  herefy,  long  since 
fprung  up  in  the  territory  of  Thouloufe,  i.  e.  among 
thoie  called  Albigcnfes.  "  This  feet,"  fays  Cave,  from 
Reirierius,  fa  monkifh  adversary,  who  wrote  againfi  them 
about  the  year  1254)  "  foon  increafed  to  an  immenle 
"  number  of  followers,  and  prevailed  every  where  ;  and 
*  Jotne  liave  affirmed,  that  it  exifted  in  the  clays  of  Pope 
"  Sylveiter,  (i.  e.  in  the  year  314)  or  rather  from  the 
"  Acoilolic  age  itfelf,  and  that  there  is  no  country  in  Eu- 
"  rope -'into  which  it  hath  not  extended  itieliV  It  is 
not  improbable,  that  they  were  dependents  of  thofe  ex- 
cellent chrjflians,  who  wrote  from  Lyons  in  France  the 
very  remarkable  Epiftle  to  the  Allan  churches,  in  the  fe» 
cond  century  after  Chrift. 

They  continued  likewife,  as  well  as  fpread  ;  for  when 
Luther  and  the  other  reformers  appeared  in  the  fixteenth 
century,  the  defrend  uk:  of  tneie  perfecuted  people  (who 
were  called  by  abirid. trice  of  nick  names)  held  a  cordial 
cm  re fpor. deuce  with  Lhem,  aftonilhed  on  both  fides  to 
find  the  clofenefs  of  their  (Imiharity.  Hence  Gretzer  the 
Jefuit  called  them,  '  the  great  anceftors  of  the  Calvin- 
'  iics-  *  Of  the  moii  remarkable  individuals,  who  fupport- 
ed  the  great  truth*  of  the  gofpel,  with  more  or  leis  clear- 
neU,  from  the  days  of  the  fathers,  feveral  rcipeclable 
names  maybe  adduced  in  fucceifiye  ages;  but  in  this 
place  we  cannot  give  even  their  names,  though  their  hiftory 
defer  res  the  ainpleii  consideration. 

BleiTed  be  God  !  his  truth  fhall  (land  to  the  end  of  the 
world,  and  his  gofpel  till  the  laft  of  the  redeemed  is  rea- 
dy for  glory.  -There  is  a  spiritual  church,  confiding 
of  ChriiVs  faithful  people,  and  of  them  only,  gathered, 
perhaps,  out  of  all  denominations;  and  this  Church, 
founded  on  the  everlaftjne  Rock,  is  iiirnregnable  to  every 

aflauty. 


CONCLUSION. 


455 


aiTauk  of  its  enemies.  No  weapon,  formed  againft  it, 
can  profper.  This  conlkleration  mould  afford  every  true 
believer  great  confohitioir,  under  all  dark  appearances  ei- 
ther in  vilible  churches  or  in  the  world.  *Tis  God's 
t:aui"e,  and  not  man's  :  the  Arm,  tnerefore,  which  fup- 
ports  it,  is  omnipotent  and  divine.  The  Lord  of  hosts 
is  with  us  (may  this  church  of  the-  firjt-bcrti  triumph;)  the 
Cod  of  Jacob  is  our  refuge  ! 

And  may  God,  whole  goodnefs  extends  from  age  to 
age,  and  whofe  favour  is  the  life  of  fouls,  blei's  and  unite 
this  holy  church  at  all  times  in  fpirit  and  in  truth, 
that  it  may  be  eftablifhed  and  profper  upon  earth,  and 
that  many  of  all  nations  may  flow  unto  it.  May  difcord 
and  every  work  of  the  fleih  be  far  removed  from  among 
brethren  ;  and  may  they  love,  and  Itudy  to  love  more 
and  more,  all  of  all  denominations,  who  love  our  Lord 
Jefus  Chrift  in  fmcerity.  .May  the  falvaticn  of  the  re- 
deemed fpread  farther  and  wider  by  all  manner  of  holy 
means ;  till  the  kingdoms  of  the  world  become  the  king- 
doms of  the  Lord,  and  or  his  Chrift,  and  till  every  tongue 
mall  confefs  with  joy,  the  LORD  GOD  OMNI. 
POTENT  reigseth!    Amen. 


&    f   N    1    & 


CONTENTS. 


J  OHN  WICKLIFFE,  the  firft  reformer.  T3 

John  Hufs,  D.  D.    The  Bohemian  reformer.  41 

Je'rom  of  Prague,  the  lay-reformer.  64 

Patrick  Hamilton,  the  firft  Scotch  reformer.  77 

Ulricus  Zuinglius,  the  reformer  of  Switzerland.  104 

William  Tindale.  120 

Martin  Luther,  the  great  reformer.  134 

John  Calvin,  the  evangelic  reformer.  175 

George  Wiihart.  203 

John  Knox,  the  Scotch  reformer.  221 
John  Rogers,  the  proto-martyr  under  Q.  Mary.  -  250 
Thomas  Cranmer,    D.  D.     The  firft   proteftant 

Archbiihop  of  Canterbury.  359 

James  Uiher,  D.  D.     Archbifliop  of  Armagh.  290 

Theodore  Beza.  306 

Francis  Junius.  317 
Sir    Matthew    Hale,   Chief  Juftice  of    the 

King's  Bench.  330 

John  Owen,  D.  D.  349 

John  Flavel.  373 

Ifaac  Watts,  D.  D.                                    -•  391 

Philip  Doddridge,  D.  D.  403 

Rev.  Jonathan  Edwards.  419 

Samuel  Davies.                •  440 

Conclufion,  452 


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